Himachal Election 2022 Highlights: Congress Scores Big In Himachal, Rebels A Factor In BJP Loss

The Congress has returned to power in Himachal Pradesh, proving once again the state's decades-old 'tradition' of voting out a government after a single term. The BJP did try very hard to break this cyclical pattern. Party chief JP Nadda held some 50 rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held five rallies, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held 20 rallies and union minister Anurag Thakur even shed tears. Incumbent Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has accepted defeat and said they will "continue to play a positive role". Of 55 lakh voters in the state, over 75 per cent voted in the November 12 election to elect its 68-member assembly and government. A total of 412 candidates were in the fray in this election.

Here are the Highlights from Himachal Pradesh Election Results:

In Congress' Himachal Win, Party's Pat For Sachin Pilot
Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot -- who played a key role in the 2018 elections in Rajasthan -- has been credited with a "critical role" in the Congress's big surge in Himachal Pradesh by party leader Rajiv Shukla. Mr Pilot was the Congress in-charge for state where the party conducted a low-key campaign. His political rival, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, was in charge of Gujarat, where the Congress is heading for its worst-ever defeat.

Why Union Minister Anurag Thakur Is Trending After BJP's Himachal Loss
After the BJP lost power in Himachal Pradesh to the Congress - somewhat souring its mega win in Gujarat - Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who is MP from the hill state, came under fire on social media from BJP supporters blaming him for the party's infighting. Congress workers also jumped in on the trend, gloating, as did observers who sought to put the BJP loss into a wider context.

Jairam Thakur Wins Seraj By Margin Of Over 31,000 Votes
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur has won the Seraj assembly constituency by a margin of more than 31,000 votes over Chet Ram of the Congress, according to the Election Commission. Mr Thakur, 57, won this seat for the sixth time even though the BJP lost power to the Congress this election.

Himachal Pradesh has not returned any incumbent government to power in the last nearly four decades.

6-Time Congress MLA Asha Kumari Loses In Dalhousie
BJP candidate DS Thakur defeated six-time Congress MLA Asha Kumari in Himachal Pradesh's Dalhousie assembly seat by a margin of 9,918 votes, according to the Election Commission. Asha Kumari was among the chief ministerial probables in Himachal Pradesh with trends showing the Congress surging ahead of the BJP on 39 of the total 68 seats in the hill state.

Himachal Chief Minister Concedes Defeat, Resigns
Conceding defeat in Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Thursday submitted his resignation to the governor, official sources said. "I respect the mandate. In a short while, I am going to hand over my resignation to the governor," Mr Thakur told reporters shortly before handing over his resignation to the Governor.

The Congress appeared to be heading to achieve majority in the hill state as it surged ahead of the BJP, winning 32 seats and leading in 7 others

Himachal Election 2022: Congress Wins 38 Seats, Leads In 2

Congress has won 38 seats in the Himachal Pradesh election now while leading in two others. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 18 seats and is leading in seve,

Himachal Election 2022: 6-Time Congress MLA Asha Kumari Loses

BJP candidate DS Thakur defeated six-time Congress MLA Asha Kumari in Himachal Pradesh's Dalhousie assembly seat by a margin of 9,918 votes, according to the Election Commission.

Asha Kumari was among the chief ministerial probables in Himachal Pradesh with trends showing the Congress surging ahead of the BJP on 39 of the total 68 seats in the hill state.

Dalhousie in Chamba district was in focus after veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Virbhadra Singh's aide Harsh Mahajan joined the BJP and queered the pitch for arch-rival Kumari.

Himachal Elections 2022: Congress Officially Has Majority Now

The Congress has officially won the 35 seats required for the majority in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly of 68 seats. 

"Every Promise Will Be Fulfilled": Rahul Gandhi On Himachal Win

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said today that every promise made by Congress will be fulfilled after his party won the Himachal Pradesh Election.

"Heartfelt thanks to the people of Himachal Pradesh for this decisive victory," Mr Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

"Hearty congratulations to all Congress workers and leaders. Your hard work and dedication really deserves the best wishes for this victory. I assure you again, every promise made to the public will be fulfilled at the earliest," he added.

"Very Emotional Moment For Me": Himachal Congress Chief Pratibha Singh

Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh today said that the Congress victory in the state reminds her of the support that her late husband and former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh enjoyed.

"It is a very emotional moment for me as I can see the same kind of support from people as it was for late Virbhadra Singh. Chandigarh is easily accessible meeting point for MLAs & we are not worried about poaching," Pratibha Singh said, as quoted by news agency ANI.