We are sure of winning 50 seats in Himachal Pradesh: Satpal Singh Satti

Edited excerpts from an interview with Himachal BJP president Satpal Singh Satti:

How do you plan to make a comeback in Himachal?
We are following a two pronged strategy: strengthening organisational structure and highlighting the misrule of Congress CM Virbhadra Singh.

Do you have a target?
We are sure of winning 50 seats.

But the BJP lost in 2012…
We know, but since then we have not lost a day. In 2012 there was some confusion among voters and some anti incumbency as well but since then a lot has changed. We have strengthened our organisational structure.

There are reports of infighting and multiple power centres.
The BJP is united — look at our performance. Following the loss in 2012, we won all four Lok Sabha seats in 2014 as well as the by-elections of Sujanpur (in 2014) and Bhoranj (whose result came on Thursday).

Which issues will you highlight?
Apart from corruption which even the chief minister is part of, we will highlight the rise of a new mafia culture in the state. It is something unheard of in Himachal.

What sort of mafia?
There are land mafia, drug mafia and even transfer mafia (that help people get a transfer in lieu of money). Hence we are fighting under the banner of 'Mafia hatao, Himachal bachao.'