Central University of Himachal Pradesh is a poll issue in three constituencies

DHARAMSHALA: The only central university of the state has become a poll issue in three constituencies — Dharamshala, Dehra and Shahpur. The fact of the matter is that ever since the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) came into existance, in 2010, repeated governments have failed to build a permanent campus for this institute due to political tussles between the BJP and the Congress.
While the Congress wanted to establish its campus in Dharamshala, the BJP wanted it in Dehra. But for the time being, a temporary campus of varsity was set up at Shahpur. Now as the people of Dharamshala and Dehra are waiting for a permanent campus, the residents of Shahpur do not want the institute to get shifted as it is a source of employment to many.
Congress minister Sudhir Sharma had won 2012 elections from Dharamshala by promising a permanent campus here, but had failed to do so. This has now given a chance to the BJP to raise this issue and question the status on the university.
In Shahpur, BJP leader Sarveen Choudhary is facing a tough stand of the villages, which are opposing the shifting of the varsity. In Dehra, people are asking politicians the same thing. Meanwhile, people in Dehra and Shahpur had formed sangharsh samitis (outfits to fight for CUHP campus).
“The Congress leader had promised it in last elections, but failed to do so. We would form our govt in state and with cooperation from the Centre bring the varsity to Dharamshala,” said Kishan Kapoor, a BJP candidate from Dharamshala.
“CUHP is a poll issue in Shahpur more because it is an employment source for many villagers in various ways. It is not like that the whole campus would be shifted from here. But we will raise the issue to retain a portion of it in Shahpur,” said BJP candidate from Shahpur Sarveen Choudhary.
A BJP candidate from Dehra, Ravinder Ravi, told that classes of the varsity are already running in Dehra, Dharamshala and Shahpur.
“It will be given a complete shape after the elections. It is in our priority list as Dehra has remained neglected. This is the only big project the place has,” he said.