Himachal Pradesh Election Results 2017 LIVE: BJP wins battle, Virbhadra Singh accepts defeat

The BJP is all set to wrest power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh as it won 8 seats and was leading in 37 others while the ruling party bagged four seats and was leading in 15.

The CPI(M) won the Theog seat while Independents are leading in three seats.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is leading from Arki while his son Vikramaditya Singh won from Shimla(Rural).

Prem Kumar Dhumal, BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Himachal Pradesh, was trailing behind Congress's Rajinder Rana in Sujanpur.

Out of eight ministers in the fray, three have lost while three others are trailing. Two ministers are leading.

Senior-most minister Kaul Singh lost the polls from Drang and while his daughter Champa Thakur suffered defeat at the hands of BJP's Anil Sharma from Mandi. State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti is trailing from Una while HPCC candidate Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu is maintaining lead from Nadaun. BJP candidate Suresh Bharadwaj retained the prestigious Shimla seat while Anirudh Singh of Congress retained Kusumpti seat. Congress candidate Harshvardhan won from Shillai, wresting the seat from Baldev Singh Tomar of BJP while Govind Thakur of BJP scored the third successive victory from Manali. However, senior BJP leader Maheshwar Singh failed to retain his Kullu seat.

Main rivals BJP and Congress contested all 68 seats at stake. The hill state witnessed a record 75.28% turnout.

The Congress and the BJP had 36 and 26 seats respectively in the outgoing House.

Himachal Pradesh has a tradition of change in government after every elections and going by the trend, this time it appears to be the turn of the BJP which is upbeat after the exit polls predicted a victory for the saffron party.

The BJP ousted the Congress in 1990 and the Congress avenged defeat in 1993. The BJP formed the government with the help of Himachal Vikas Congress in 1998 and the Congress was back in power in 2003. The BJP made a comeback in 2007.

LIVE UPDATES

 

BJP Wins Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh: https://t.co/vEY2mZXNxY via @YouTube

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

BREAKING: The BJP high command has called in Jairam Thakur to Delhi this evening. He's likely to take over as Himachal Pradesh CM since the party's CM candidate PK Dhumal and state chief Satpal Singh Satti have lost. @dna

— amrita madhukalya (@visually_kei) December 18, 2017

CM Candidate for BJP in Himachal Pradesh, PK Dhumal told media, "Personal loss is not of much importance.The gain that victory has brought to state BJP is important. Thankful to people of the state for voting for BJP. In politics, sometimes one wins, sometimes one loses. I was not expecting to lose, I will do an analysis."

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accepted the defeat in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections. He tweeted,

The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me.

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017

My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage.

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017

The 2/3rd lead in Himachal Pradesh shows that people there want to join PM Narendra Modi in the journey to development: Amit Shah, BJP President #HimachalResults pic.twitter.com/bvySqJyFBZ

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

We are confident that when we go into 2019 elections under the leadership of PM Modi we will once again get people's support and Modi ji's aim for the youth in 2022 will become a reality: Amit Shah, BJP President #HimachalResults #GujaratVerdict pic.twitter.com/ZpxjURYLvy

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

We will win the upcoming assembly election in 4 states, including Karnataka: Amit Shah, BJP President #HimachalResults #GujaratVerdict pic.twitter.com/Z2Ew2eOw8o

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

We won comfortably, increased our vote share. It was not a close contest at all: Amit Shah #GujaratResults pic.twitter.com/FXoByX5XpP

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

"This is a victory of our policies and plans, a victory of politics and performance, not casteism, dynasty and appeasement," said BJP chief Amit Shah.

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections

BJP - 29

Congress - 13

Others - 2

Current trends in #HimachalPradeshElections https://t.co/zc3lXNRiOJ pic.twitter.com/27zw1Cbiga

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

Outgoing CM of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh, accepted Congress' defeat in hill state.

I accept the victory of BJP. I, being the CM, take full responsibility of our performance here. I hope Vikramaditya (Singh) keeps winning in future, like he won today: Virbhadra Singh #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/ImNkW32qdy

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

According to Election Commission data, no of seats won by parties so far:

Bharatiya Janata Party: Won 11, leading in 33

Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1

Indian National Congress: Won 7, leading in 14

Others: Leading in 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed contributions from BJP workers for win in Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

जीता विकास, जीता गुजरात।

जय जय गरवी गुजरात!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

हिमाचल प्रदेश में लहराया कमल, विकास की हुई भव्य जीत।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hardwork which has led to these impressive victories.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

Himachal Elections: BJP's Prem Kumar Dhumal trailing; who will be chief minister?

BJP Parliamentary party meeting to be held at Parliament Library building on 20 December, reports ANI. The party is likely to discuss options for the next Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and next course of action in Gujarat.

Winners so far -

Hans Raj from Churah,  Kishan Kapoor from Dharamshala, Narinder Bragta from Jubbal-Kotkhai, Sunder Singh Thakur from Kullu, Dr Ram Lal Markanda from Lahaul & Spiti, Suresh Bhardwaj from Shimla, Subhash Thakur from Bilaspur, Paramjeet Singh from Doon, won for BJP

Anirudh Singh from Kasumpti, Harshwardhan Chauhan from Shillai, Vinay Kumar from Sri Renukaji won for Congress

Rakesh Singha from Theog won for Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Pawan Kumar Kajal of Congress defeated Sanjay Chaudhari of BJP in Kangra.

According to Election Commission data, no of seats won by parties so far:

Bharatiya Janata Party: Won 4, leading in 40

Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1

Indian National Congress: Won 2, leading in 18

Others: Leading in 3

13: 56 IST Monday, 18 December 2017

Rakesh Singha from CPIM wins from the Theog constituency

Comrade Rakesh Singha wins from the Theog constituency. Congratulations to the people of Theog and @cpim_hp!#HimachalPradeshElections#ElectionResults2017 pic.twitter.com/SReHreFdtZ

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) December 18, 2017

In Lahaul & Spiti constituency of Himachal Pradesh, Dr Ram Lal Markanda of BJP defeated Ravi Thakur of Congress by more than 1500 votes.

#HimachalPradeshElections
In Lahaul & Spiti, Dr Ram Lal Markanda of BJP defeated Ravi Thakur of Congress by more than 1500 votes.
To read - https://t.co/zc3lXNRiOJ pic.twitter.com/6pg7cOvz2X

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections

BJP - 39

Congress - 20

Others - 3

 

Union Minister Smriti Irani credited BJP workers for the victory in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat Assembly elections. "It is a matter of happiness for us, this is the victory of development. It is a victory of every booth worker's hard work and the people who trusted development," she told Zee News.

"The elections in Himachal didn't even feel like a contest," Irani continued.

BJP's CM candidate in Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal is trailing in Sujanpur.

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections

BJP - 42

Congress - 21

Others - 2

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath took a dig at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi while congratulating BJP and BJP workers for winning elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. He said that change in Congress leadership was auspicious for Bharatiya Janata Party (sic).

Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki Congress ka netritve badalna BJP ke liye shubh sanket hoga: Yogi Adityanath,UP CM on #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/kfYUdGBCms

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2017

People have rejected divisive politics of Congress, this win is due to the dynamic leadership of BJP and the hard work of BJP workers: Yogi Adityanath,UP CM on #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/E3BrGhanCc

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2017

Kishori Lal of Bharatiya Janata Party defeated Paras Ram of Congress in Anni.

In Shimla, Suresh Bhardwaj of Bharatiya Janata Party beat independent candidate Harish Janartha.

#HimachalPradeshElections
Kishori Lal from Anni and Suresh Bhardwaj from Shimla win seats for BJP.
To Read - https://t.co/zc3lXNRiOJ pic.twitter.com/ujTNw7kNIw

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya congratulated PM Narendra Modi for victory in Gujarat. He said in Lok Sabha, "Congress has lost Himachal Pradesh, and I want to thank the Prime Minister for the unprecedented victory in Gujarat."

Rajinder Rana of Congress is leading in Sujanpur. Prem Kumar Dhumal is once again trailing by more than 100 votes.

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections

BJP - 43
Congress - 20
Others - 4

Scene at BJP Headquarter in #Delhi as trends indicate party's victory in both #Himachal and #Gujarat #GujaratElection2017 #GujaratVerdict #GujaratResults https://t.co/L3sbi3sqZQ pic.twitter.com/wlrjDNqZib

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections

BJP - 45
Congress - 18
Others - 4

BJP's CM candidate in Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal is now leading by 500 votes

Anirudh Singh of Congress won the Kasumpti constituency by defeating BJP's Vijay Jyoti by a margin of 9,397 votes

#HimachalPradeshElections
Anirudh Singh of Congress won the Kasumpti constituency.
To read - https://t.co/zc3lXNRiOJ pic.twitter.com/VqiUpd0s1K

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections

BJP - 44
Congress - 19
Others - 4

According to Election Commission's official trend, BJP leading on 41 seats, Congress ahead on 24, Others leading on 5.

"Will form Government in both Himachal and Gujarat with clear majority" says Home Minister Rajnath Singh #HimachalPradeshElections2017 #GujaratVerdict pic.twitter.com/TZymBvklV7

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

#HimachalPradeshElections latest trends.
To read - https://t.co/zc3lXNRiOJ pic.twitter.com/9A10D1sxlL

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Election show BJP take a comfortable lead in 40 constituencies. Despite the trends, Congress leader and son of Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya Singh said, "I am sure in the end Congress will be victorious and form Government in the state."

"I am sure in the end Congress will be victorious and form Government in the state" says Vikramaditya Singh, contesting from Shimla Rural #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/bmZP0RWeec

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

BJP's CM candidate in Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal, trailing by 1709 votes from Sujanpur

#ElectionResults : EC Offical trends for #HimachalPradeshElections2017 |

To read: https://t.co/o2AZvsCGCi pic.twitter.com/7qq5NCOcCQ

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

 

EC Offical trends for #HimachalPradeshElections2017: BJP leading on 38, Congress ahead on 22, Others- 5.

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

Current trends in Himachal Pradesh Elections results show BJP leading in 40, Congress in 22, Others in 4

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya leading by 1316 votes in Shimla Rural.

BJP's CM candidate in Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal, trailing by 540 votes from Sujanpur.

Election Commission's official trends for Himachal Pradesh Elections results show BJP leading on 35 seats, Congress on 16, Others 3

Election Commission's official trends for Himachal Pradesh Elections results show BJP leading on 20 seats, Congress on 9, Others 2.

Election Commission's official trends for #HimachalPradeshElections results show BJP leading on 20 seats, Congress on 9, Others 2https://t.co/zc3lXNRiOJ pic.twitter.com/kCqqkTSzRW

— DNA (@dna) December 18, 2017

#UttarPradesh Supporters perform 'Havan' in #Varanasi as counting of votes continues for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections pic.twitter.com/V5yOEgOo71

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2017

BJP state chief Satpal Singh is trailing behind Congress candidate Satpal Singh Raizada in Himachal Pradesh's Una constituency. 

 

EC Official Trends for #HimachalPradeshElections: BJP leading on 11 seats, Congress leading on 4, Others 1

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

Questions being raised about EVMs have already been answered by us in the media. VVPATs were there in every polling stations in Gujarat, which enabled voters to see whom they voted for, so issues being raised aren't right. I assure that EVMS cannot be tampered with: CEC, AK Joti pic.twitter.com/PzZU1hgh4u

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

 

Counting has begun for Himachal Pradesh. BJP is leading in 9 constituencies, Congress in 4.