Himachal Pradesh By-Poll Results: Congress won two seats of the total three seats in Himachal.
Shimla:
In a significant political twist, the by-poll results today in Himachal Pradesh have underscored the Congress party’s strengthened foothold in the state assembly. The gamble by three Independent MLAs to contest on BJP tickets proved costly, as only one emerged victorious.
Dehra Constituency:
Congress candidate Kamelsh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, clinched a decisive victory over BJP’s Hoshiyar Singh by a substantial margin of 9399 votes. This win bolsters Congress’s position, reclaiming a seat previously held by Independent MLA Hoyishar Singh.
Nalagarh Constituency:
Hardeep Singh Bawa of Congress emerged triumphant over BJP’s KL Thakur, securing a lead of 8990 votes. This victory marks another setback for BJP in its bid to secure a greater presence in the assembly.
Hamirpur Constituency:
Contrarily, BJP’s Ashish Sharma managed to retain the Hamirpur assembly seat by defeating Congress’s Pushpender Verma by a narrow margin of 1571 votes. This win provides some solace to BJP amid losses in other constituencies.
The outcomes have notably increased the Congress tally in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha to 40 seats, the same number the party secured in the 2022 Assembly elections. This majority reaffirms CM Sukhu’s grip over the state legislature, especially following the defection of nine Congress MLAs earlier this year during the Rajya Sabha elections.
The victories in Dehra and Nalagarh constituencies come as a respite for CM Sukhu, particularly after Congress lost all four parliamentary seats to BJP in the recent general elections. The win in Dehra, where CM’s wife emerged victorious, further strengthens his political stature within the party and the state.
These results serve as a setback for BJP, which had been anticipating a shift in power dynamics in Himachal Pradesh. Moreover, with no Independent MLAs expected in the upcoming legislative session, the political landscape of the state is set to witness a historic change.
The by-poll outcomes have not only solidified Congress’s position but also highlighted the unpredictability of political alliances in the state ahead of future electoral challenges.
