Elected thrice to the Lok Sabha from Kangra, Shanta Kumar, though sounded for ministerial berth, could not make it to the Central Cabinet earlier as expansion was put off apparently due to pressures from nagging alliance partner and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalitha. With no other BJP MP, senior to him, getting elected even from the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, Shanta Kumar stands a good chance, feel political observers.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was in Delhi two days ago and met PM Vajpayee besides other senior party leaders like L K Advani and Kusha Bhau Thakre, pleaded for representation to the State in the new Government. ``Everyone knows Shanta Kumar is the seniormost person and the most suitable choice of the partynot only from Himachal Pradesh but also from the neighbouring states,'' he told The Indian Express. Dhumal is again leaving for Delhi tomorrow to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Vajpayee Ministry and lobby for representation to the State.

Himachal Vikas Congress, BJP's partner-in-power, which won the Shimla Lok Sabha seat and has one Rajya Sabha member, is also an aspirant for the ministerial berth. Sukh Ram is already in Delhi lobbying for his son Anil Sharma who is a Rajya Sabha member. However, officially the HVC denies any such move.

Beside being a Lok Sabha member, Shanta Kumar has been Chief Minister twice enjoying a strong base in the lower Himachal Pradesh. He made it to the Lok Sabha first time in 1989 and later returned to the State to head the BJP Government. Under his leadership, the party swept the Assembly poll in 1990. Later in 1996, he lost the Lok Sabha election to his rival Kangra leader Sat Mahajan but avenged his defeat in 1998 winning the seat by 59,235 votes.

Thistime he surpassed all previous records winning the seat by a margin of more than one lakh votes. Among the two other MPs elected from the State on BJP ticket are Maheshwar Singh (Mandi) and Suresh Chandel (Hamirpur).