Himachal Pradesh: In the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has ousted the ruling party BJP. Congress came to power in the state with absolute majority. Out of the total 68 seats, when the final results are available, the Congress is leading in 40 seats.
BJP is leading in 26 seats. Other parties lead in two places. 35 seats are required for absolute majority here. It is estimated that the powerful campaign led by Priyanka Gandhi gave the Congress an opportunity to fly the flag in Himachal. The victory in Himachal Pradesh will surely bring some relief to the Congress, which is on the verge of collapse.
In Himachal Pradesh on November 12, polling was recorded as 74.05 percent. In Himachal with a total of 55.74 lakh voters, the voter turnout was less than the previous year, beating the hearts of both the BJP and the Congress. Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Congress' former state president and party's election campaign chairman Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh's son Vikaraditya Singh and four-time opposition leader Mukesh Agnihotri are seeking the mandate. 19 BJP rebels and 8 Congress rebels are in the fray.
From the very beginning of the counting, it was clear that Himachal was going to be an infighting. The BJP, which had taken the lead at one stage, soon lost ground and the Congress overtook an absolute majority. With a difference of only a few seats between the BJP and the Congress, there was a strong fear that the BJP might form the government with the help of independents. This was fueled by Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur's victory with 79% votes. BJP has also started government formation talks in the state. In the meantime, the Congress saw an unexpected advance and reached a strong position of 39 seats.
Congress is also taking precautions, anticipating the possibility of BJP bagging its candidates. AICC has instructed to proceed with caution in Himachal Pradesh. If the result is in favor of the Congress, it is decided to transfer the MLAs from the state to other Congress-ruled states.
Compared to the 2017 results, the Congress is leading in Himachal by 19 seats this time. BJP lost its lead in 19 seats. AAP is nowhere to be found here this time. Independent candidates were ahead on three seats while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had fielded candidates on 67 seats, is yet to open its account, according to the Election Commission.
Incumbent Himachal Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is poised for a landslide victory in his constituency Ghatlodia in Ahmedabad. According to the latest trends, he has a lead of around 1 lakh 34,000 votes. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier said that Patel would return as Chief Minister if he wins again in the BJP's stronghold.
