Both enjoy excellent bonhomie and leave no opportunity in singing songs for each other. The other day, Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur showered petals of praises on former chief minister Virbhadra Singh saying Congress doesn't respect him though he is a tallest party leader.
Former chief minister, unlike his strong antics towards his opponents is too soft on Jairam Thakur. He speaks more loudly against stare Congress chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu than against any BJP leader, except father son duo-Dhumals.
Contrary to party stand, he is all praise for his successor though his party is preparing a charge-sheet (undoubtedly a futile exercise) against BJP govt. Its good to note that chief minster Jairam Thakur has also vowed not to pursue "politics of vendetta and "witch hunt" like earlier leaders. Its a direct indictment of ex-chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal who was at loggerheads with Virbhadra Singh all the time during his tenure. During Congress regime, Dhumal was constantly hounded and Dhumal paid the Virbhadra Singh in same coin.
A peaceful state like Himachal has no place for "political of vendetta". Virbhadra Singh is man of strong likes and dislikes. He becomes too vindictive to silence the voices of dissent and browbeat his critics. As long BJP leader Thakur Jagdev Chand was alive, Virbhadra did his best to browbeat Shanta Kumar and propelled former to rebel against the latter.
But, after death of Thakur Jagdev Chand and PK Dhumal taking center stage in BJP, Virbhadra Singh started courting Shanta Kumar. It suited his "politics of "divide and rule". Jairam Thakur, so far, looks a simple and straight forward leader, more engrossed in ensuring good governance. How long, he remains positioned in this mindset is yet to be seen.
Contemporary politics has assumed dirtiest proportions. Political parties have gone bankrupt on public issues and raking up non-issues. The next four years will be acid test for Jairam Thakur. All his intent and purposes will be keenly watched. People of the sate sincerely hopes, he doesn't follow the politics of " bare opportunism and vendetta".