Today is the day the people of Himachal Pradesh elect a new government to rule the State. Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and BJP’s Chief Minister candidate P.K. Dhumal will battle it out for the title of Himachal Pradesh’s next Chief Minister.
The voting started at 8 A.M., for the 68 assembly constituencies in the State. The results will be announced 40 days from now on the 18th of December. It is estimated that around 50 lakh people will cast their votes today. There are a total of 62 sitting MLAs hoping to get re elected today.
BJP changed its strategy for this election and announced P.K. Dhumal as the Chief Minister. For the last few state elections, BJP has sought out votes in the name of PM Modi and his agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed seven rallies over the days leading up to the elections. At the rallies, he said he had faith people would vote for the BJP.
Congress is focusing on Gujarat elections and paid less heed to the Himachal Pradesh campaigns. Virbhadra Singh addressed 90 rallies on his own and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi attended only three out of them. The BJP used Virbhadra Singh’s corruption allegations in their favor. On the other hand, Congress attacked the BJP over Demonetization and GST.
To emerge victorious and to form a government in Himachal Pradesh, a party needs to secure 35 seats in the assembly.
