The counting of votes for the Himachal Pradesh election 2022 result has kicked off on Thursday. The main contenders in the HP election 2022 are the BJP and the Congress. The hilly state has 68 seats and the halfway mark is 35. The Congress has surged ahead of the BJP in Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. The grand old party has won in 40 out of 68 seats. Further BJP has won 23 seats and is ahead on 2 seats. Himachal Pradesh has not returned any incumbent government to power in the last nearly four decades. And, for Congress, the victory in Himachal is much-needed for its revival, as it has seen a spate of electoral losses in the last few years.
The result for Himachal Pradesh polls 2022 was declared today (Thursday), stay tuned with Livemint to catch all the Himachal Pradesh election 2022 result LIVE Updates.
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HP Assembly will have only one female MLA
According to a PTI report, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls will see only one female MLA in the new government. The performance of female candidates in the 12 November Assembly elections was at best dismal.
The new 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will have just one woman MLA.
The BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress had fielded six, five and three women candidates, but only Reena Kashyap of BJP won the election. Out of 24 female candidates in the fray, one emerged victorious.
Kashyap, who had won Pachhad (SC) assembly bypoll in 2021, managed to retain her seat, the PTI report stated. In 2017, four women candidates had managed to win the assembly elections.
Congress workers in Delhi celebrate party's win in HP: Video
Congress workers celebrate outside AICC office in Delhi as party wins
Royals loosing charm in Himachal Pradesh
The erstwhile royals of Himachal Pradesh who once commanded their own space in politics are losing their charm as only two of them have won in the hill state this time while two others lost at the hustings.
Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh, who belongs to Rampur Bushahr's erstwhile royal family, won with a big margin of 13,860 votes from Shimla rural, while Anirudh Singh of the erstwhile royal family of Koti, won from Kasumpti assembly seat.
On the other hand, former minister and six-time MLA Asha Kumari lost the elections from her Dalhousie seat this time. She lost by a margin of 9,918 votes.
Another erstwhile royal of Kullu, Hiteshwar Singh, who ran as an independent, also lost from the Banjar assembly seat. He got 14,932 votes against the winner BJP's Surender Shourie's 24,241 votes and Congress' Khimi Ram's 19,963 votes.
Pratibha, Sukhu, Agnihotri lead race for Congress CM in Himachal
With the Congress emerging victorious in Himachal Pradesh, state party president Pratibha Singh is considered a key frontrunner for the chief minister's post, closely followed by former party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and outgoing CLP leader Mukesh Agnihotri.
Deciding on the chief ministerial face who can bind the party going forward is the immediate challenge for the Congress.
Congress MLA to stay in Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Congress MLAs have been asked to stay in Shimla itself, amid buzz of horse trading by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). Observers Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Bhupinder Hooda and In-charge Rajeev Shukla are likely to meet the MLAs in Shimla tomorrow, 9 December
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Polls: Final Result
Won Leading Total
Congress 40 0 40
BJP 25 0 25
Independent 3 0 3
Total 61 0 68
Vote Share
AAAP-1.10%
BJP- 42.99 %
BSP- 0.35%
CPI-0.01%
CPI(M)-0.66%
INC- 43.91%
NOTA- 0.59%
Other- 10.39%
Why BJP lost in Himachal Pradesh?
Anti-incumbency and alternative government's selection were not the only reason for voters of Himachal Pradesh leaning towards Congress.
The apple growing northern state, whose lobby is dominated by people from the upper Himachal Pradesh, were sore at the lower prices given to it by the Adani Group. The profits of apple growers too declined post the rise of GST on cartons.
Read why BJP might have lost the Himachal Pradesh elections here
'Less than 1% margin in Himachal poll results': PM Modi after BJP loses to Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted party supporters at BJP headquarters in Delhi after the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat Assembly election results were declared.
“I want to thank Election Commission for conducting elections peacefully. As far as I know, re-polling in any poll booth was not required. I also want to thank the voters of Himachal. The difference between the number of votes for BJP and Congress was less than 1%," PM Modi at BJP Headquarter
Former state Cong chief Sukhvinder Sukhu retains Nadaun seat
Former Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu won from Nadaun assembly seat in Hamirpur district on Thursday, defeating the BJP's Vijay Kumar Agnihotri by 3,363 votes.
Sukhu received 36,142 votes while Agnihotri polled 32,779 votes, according to the Election Commission. There were six contenders in the fray.
Nadaun became a hot seat in the assembly elections as Sukhu, who is seen as a chief minister contender, headed the Congress election campaign committee. Also, this was the fourth time that Agnihotri locked horns with him from the constituency.
In the 2017 elections, Sukhu defeated Agnihotri by 2,349 votes, while in 2012, Agnihotri got the better of the Congress leader by more than 6,000 votes. In 2007, Sukhu defeated Agnihotri by over 500 votes.
Priyanka Gandhi thanks party workers on Himachal win
Congress national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday thanked the voters of Himachal Pradesh and congratulated party workers on the Congress's return to power in the hill-state.
"Heartfelt thanks and greetings to the people of Himachal Pradesh for giving a mandate to the Indian National Congress. This is the victory of the resolution of the people of Himachal for progress. Best wishes to all the leaders and workers of the Congress party. Your hard work paid off," Priyanka said in a tweet.
Outgoing CM Jairam Thaukur wins from Seraj seat
Outgoing Chief Minister and BJP candidate Jai Ram Thakur won from Seraj seat, defeating Congress rival Chet Ram by huge margin of 38,183 votes.
Thakur tendered his resignation conceding defeat in the state with the latest trends predicting Congress is set to form government in Himachal Pradesh.
Outgoing Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur reached Raj Bhawan in Shimla to tender his resignation to Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Thakur said that he would never stop working for the development of people and would go to Delhi if called.
Cong leaders credit Priyanka Gandhi for Himachal win
With the Congress winning the Himachal Pradesh polls, its leaders on Thursday credited party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's campaign in the hill state for the good showing of the party in the assembly elections.
Priyanka Gandhi led the party's charge in Himachal Pradesh with several rallies and was also closely involved in strategy planning for the polls. Many leaders hailed her leadership in securing the win for the party and defeating the BJP's election machinery.
"Heartfelt thanks to the people of Himachal Pradesh for giving the mandate to the Indian National Congress. This victory is the victory of people's issues and their resolve to progress. Best wishes to all the leaders and workers of the Congress party. Your hard work paid off," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls: Latest result status
Won Leading Total
Congress 39 1 40
BJP 19 6 25
Independent 3 0 3
Total 61 7 68
Congress wrests Himachal Pradesh from BJP
The Congress on Thursday wrested Himachal Pradesh from the BJP as it crossed the majority mark of 35 seats in the 68-member Assembly in the hill state which maintained its tradition of not voting any incumbent government to power since 1985.
In the latest results and trends available, the Congress won 39 seats and was leading in 1, while BJP registered a win on 18 seats and was leading in seven others. Three Independents also emerged victorious.
Aam Aadmi Party, which had contested on 67 seats, failed to open its account.
Mallikarjun Kharge attributes HP win to Bharat Jodo Yatra
Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra has contributed in party's performance in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election result.
"We have won the Himachal elections. I want to thank the people, our workers and leaders as due to their efforts this result has come. I want to thank Priyanka Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra also helped us with this. Sonia Gandhi's blessings are also with us," Kharge told reporters.
"Our observers and in-charge secretaries are going there (Himachal Pradesh) and they will decide when to meet Governor and call a meeting of (Congress MLAs)," said the Congress chief.
Six-time Congress MLA Asha Kumari loses to BJP rival
BJP candidate D S 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.
‘Will work to fulfil aspirations of the state’: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to thank the people of Himachal Pradesh after a larger part of the counting suggested that Congress will form the government in the hilly state.
“I thank the people of Himachal Pradesh for the affection and support for the BJP. We will keep working to fulfil the aspirations of the state and raise people’s issues in the times to come." PM Modi wrote on Twitter
‘Not worried about poaching’: Pratibha Singh
"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 and we are not worried about poaching," Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha V Singh was quoted by ANI as saying.
'Rebels let down BJP, even 'Modi factor' didn't work', says Congress
BJP tried to nip anti-incumbency in Himachal Pradesh by dropping 11 of its 44 MLAs, similar to its strategy in Gujarat. But, that boomeranged and led to a full-scale rebellion. Many of the rebels could not be pacified and it is being believed that it costed the party 10-odd seats – a crucial difference that may have caused it power. Three of their rebels, who were clearly front-runners right from the beginning, managed to win their seats.
Rahul Gandhi thanks people of HP for ‘decisive victory’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in Rajasthan for his ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra expressed his ‘heartfelt thanks for the people of Himachal Pradesh’. Gandhi said, “Heartfelt thanks to people of Himachal Pradesh for decisive victory to Congress. I assure every promise made to people of Himachal Pradesh will be fulfilled at the earliest"
Congress retains Solan seat
Veteran Congress leader Dhani Ram Shandil has retained his Solan seat in Himachal Pradesh, defeating his nearest BJP rival and son-in-law Rajesh Kashyap on Thursday.
Shandil defeated Kashyap by a margin of 3,858 votes.
Watch: Jairam Thakur reaches Raj Bhavan, hand over resignation
News Agency ANI shared a video which showed the convoy of outgoing chief minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur reach the Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation after Congress crossed the official majority mark of 35 in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
“I have handed over my resignation to the Governor. Will never stop working for the development of people. We need to analyse things. There were some issues that changed the direction of the results. I will go to Delhi if they call us," Outgoing Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur
Did New Pension Scheme cost the BJP dearly?
Government employees make 5% vote bank in the state and the introduction of the new pension scheme didn't go down too well with them. The Congress not only promised to re-introduce the Old Pension Scheme, but also showcased the fact that its Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel had already delivered the same in his state.
Mukesh Agnihotri wins Haroli seat
Congress leader Mukesh Agnihotri wins Haroli seat, defeats BJP's Ram Kumar by 9,148 votes, according to Election Commission.
‘High command will decide next CM of HP’: Baghel
Chhattisgarh CM and senior leader of Congress, Bhupesh Baghel told reporters in Raipur, “High command will decide next Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi's 10-pointer manifesto worked there"
Ex-CM Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya retains seat
Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh retains seat from Shimla (Rural) by defeating his nearest rival Ravi Kumar Mehta of the BJP by 13,860 votes.
There were six candidates in fray from this seat.
Talking to media, Vikramaditya said the Congress is all set to form the government according to the poll trends and that the new dispensation will fulfil all the promises it made to the people.
Vikramaditya claimed that his father's legacy has helped the party get a clear mandate.
Replying to the possibility of MLA poaching, he said senior Congress leaders were in the state and that the party was united. "We will do everything to save our MLAs from poaching by the BJP," he added.
BJP rebel K L Thakur wins from Nalagarh seat
BJP rebel K L Thakur, who contested as an Independent, won from Nalagarh assembly seat in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, according to the Election Commission.
Thakur defeated his nearest Congress rival Hardeep Singh Bawa by a margin of 13,264 votes.
Thakur had won the 2012 state polls on a BJP ticket but lost in 2017 and was denied a ticket by the party this time.
The BJP chose Lakhwinder Singh Rana, a two-term Congress MLA, who jumped ship ahead of the elections.
All the three Independent candidates in the fray -- Thakur, Hoshiyar Singh from Dehra and Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur -- were BJP rebels.
BJP's Fadnavis meets Independent candidates in Mumbai: Report
According to a report by Republic TV, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP minister Devendra Fadnavis is meeting Independent candidates in Maharashtra's capital city Mumbai.
According to the ECI website, Independent candidates have won in three seats int he 68 assembly election that was held in the hilly state on 12 November.
BJP minister Sarveen Chaudhary loses from Shahpur
Himachal Pradesh minister Sarveen Chaudhary lost from the Shahpur seat in Kangra. She was defeated by Congress candidate Kewal Singh Pathania by a margin of 12,243 votes.
The BJP had brought Vijay Singh Mankotia into the fold to brighten Chaudhary's winning prospects, but anti-incumbency still took a toll on the party.
Himachal Pradesh polls 2022: Result Status
According to the latest result status on Election Commission website Congress and BJP have now won 14 seats and is leading in 12 seats as counting continues.
Won Leading Total
Congress 24 15 39
BJP 14 12 26
Independent 3 0 3
Cong to hold meeting of newly-elected Himachal MLAs in Chandigarh
According to news agency PTI, the grand old party- Congress has convened a meeting of all its newly-elected MLAs in Himachal Pradesh in Chandigarh after the declaration of results on Thursday, and the meet was likely to pass a resolution authorising the Congress president to elect the CLP leader.
"The newly-elected Congress MLAs would meet in Chandigarh post-election results and decide on electing the new legislature party leader," AICC in charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajeev Shukla told PTI.
People familiar with the development told PTI that at the meeting the MLAs are likely to pass a one-line resolution authorising the Congress president to decide the CLP leader.
"The party is sending two observers --Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and senior leader Bhupinder Hooda-- along with me. We will be travelling in some time to Chandigarh today where all the party MLAs have been called," Shukla said.
Jairam Thakur concedes defeat
Outgoing Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Thursday conceded defeat as BJP is set to be ousted by Congress in the hilly state. Congress has crossed the majority mark of 35 as counting in the 68 assembly seat is still going on.
“I respect people's mandate and I want to thank PM & other central leadership during last 5 yrs. We'll stand for the development of the state irrespective of politics. We'll analyse our shortcoming and improve during the next term" Thakur said to news agency ANI.
Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur continues his lead from his constituency Seraj, with a margin of 38,183 votes. Counting continues.
‘Closing our doors and windows as BJP will try to poach’: Cong
The Congress is rushing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel who is also an observer for Himachal elections along with other senior leaders like Bhupinder Hooda and the party's Congress in-charge Rajiv Shukla to the hill state, where the party seems likely to win, news agency ANI reported.
Baghel addressing reporters here today said there were apprehensions of poaching of Congress MLAs.
Baghel and Shukla are set to reach Chandigarh later today while Hooda is already in Chandigarh.
"We are taking our leaders to Chandigarh and closing our doors and windows as the BJP will try to poach, as they have done many times in the past," said Tajinder Singh Bittu, Congress in-charge for Himachal.
Hoshiyar Singh wins Dehra assembly seat
Independent candidate Hoshiyar Singh has won the Dehra assembly seat, defeating his Congress rivals by more than 3,500 votes in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election results. Hoshiyar Singh defeated Rajesh Sharma by a margin of 3,877 votes.
BJP's Dilip Thakur wins in Sarkaghat constituency of Mandi district
BJP's Dilip Thakur won from Sarkaghat constituency of Mandi district with a thin margin of 1,807 votes, defeating Congress's Pawan Kumar. The Congress candidate was leading in the initial rounds. This is the seventh seat won by the BJP from Mandi. Results for Joginder Nagar and Nachan left, according to PTI.
I will tender my resignation: CM Thakur
Outgoing Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jairam Thakur on Thursday said, "I will tender my resignation to the Governor in a short while from now".
The BJP party member is fighting from the Seraj constituency, counting for which is still on. Notably, Thakur is leading in his constituency by a margin of 38183 votes; Congress' Chet Ram is trailing in this constituency.
Congress wins 11 seats, so does BJP
According to the latest result status on Election Commission website Congress and BJP have now won 11 seats as counting continues.
Won Leading Total
Congress 11 28 39
BJP 11 15 26
Independent 2 1 3
BJP MLA Ram Lal Markanda loses Spiti constituency
State Technical Education, Information and technology, and Tribal Development Minister in the Government of Himachal Pradesh, BJP MLA Ram Lal Markanda loses from Lahaul and Spiti constituency.
Indian National Congress' Ravi Thakur won with a margin of 1616 votes
BJP's first timer Deep Raj wins Karsog seat
BJP's Deep Raj has won the Karsog seat. Deep Raj, a first timer, won by 10, 534 votes against Congress' first timer Mahesh Raj. For the 2022 Assembly elections, BJP had denied ticket to sitting MLA Hira Lal.
Congress crosses majority mark of 35
According to the Election Commission website, Congress has won in 10, and is leading in 29 seats, while BJP has won 9 seats and is leading on 17 as counting continues. The EC's official trends show that Congress has crossed the majority mark of 35.
Won Leading Total
Congress 10 29 39
BJP 9 17 26
Independent 2 1 3
'Modi factor did not work in Himachal': Cong chief
In the run to become chief minister, Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh said, “People have given us the mandate, there is no need to fear. We can meet (our MLAs) anywhere including Chandigarh or in the state. Those who have won will be with us and we will form the government".
Pratibha Singh, who is the wife of former chief minister late Virbhadra Singh, told reporters, "We are confident that results will be in favour of the Congress and we will form the government".
Pratibha Singh has joined the race for the chief ministerial post while making it clear that the family and legacy of Virbhadra Singh cannot be ignored.
Congress candidate Harish Janartha on Thursday won from Shimla constituency in Himachal Pradesh with a margin of 3037 votes.
Harimpur BJP rebel candidate wins
According to the Election Commission of India, Independent candidate Ashish Sharma, a BJP rebel, has won from Hamirpur
Nail biting battle in Himachal Pradesh
In the highly predicted hung parliament during exit polls, the party wise vote share for the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh shows that BJP has a 42.89%, while Congress has a vote share of 43.97, according to Election Commission of India.
BJP wins Poanta Sahib seat
BJP candidate and minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary wins from Poanta Sahib, according to Election Commission
Congress leads in 36 seats, BJP in 20 seats
According to the latest numbers from the Elections Commision of India, in Himachal Pradesh, Congress has won the Jubbal-Kotkhai, Kinnaur, Chamba and Shimla seats. The grand old party is leading in 36 seats.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won in Mandi, Nurpur, Pachad, Paonta Sahib and Sundernagar. The saffron party is leading in 20 seats
Himachal Pradesh election results: Poaching fear hounds Congress, elected leaders to be taken to Chandigarh
Congress' winning MLAs will be taken to Chandigarh as the fear of poaching looms among senior party leaders. The party continues to maintain its lead in the election. Congress is leading on 36 seats, while the BJP is leading in 20.
‘Priyanka Gandhi did a great job': AICC in charge Rajeev Shukla
All India Congress Committee in-charge Rajeev Shukla on Thursday said praised Priyanka Gandhi as the party is set to come to power in Himachal Pradesh.
Shukla said it was Priyanka Gandhi who took the reins of the campaign in her hand and did a great job with it.
"Though the results are still coming in it is a victory of the people. With the blessings of God, if Congress wins, we will do everything possible for the interest of the people of Himachal Pradesh. Priyanka ji (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) campaigned a lot, she worked really hard," he said.
Congress likely to get majority in Himachal Pradesh; Party workers celebrate at the Delhi office
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election Result 2022 Live Updates: Congress party workers celebrate at the Delhi office of the party after Congress crosses the majority mark of 35 seats in Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh election results: BJP wins 4 seats; Congress 1
Congress has won 1 seat and is leading on 39 others while BJP won 4 and is leading on 21 others; counting continues.
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