CM Sukhu’s credibility at stake in Himachal by-election (File Photo)
Counting of votes is underway for the by-elections held in 13 assembly seats of 7 states across the country. In which 3 seats of Himachal Pradesh are also included. Counting of votes is going on in Dehra, Hamirpur and Nalagarh seats of Himachal. These three seats fell vacant due to the resignation of BJP-backed independent MLAs, this time the BJP has fielded former independent MLAs who joined the BJP after their resignations.
Credibility question for CM Sukhu?
This election has become a face saving election for Himachal CM Sukhu. While on one hand the Congress faced a crushing defeat in all four seats of Himachal in the Lok Sabha elections, this time his wife Kamlesh Thakur has also contested from Dehra in the by-election. In the early counting, she was consistently trailing the BJP candidate, but now Kamlesh Thakur has taken the lead. Let us tell you that the Congress has not been able to register a victory in the Dehra assembly seat of Himachal for the last 15 years. In such a situation, if the wife of Himachal CM Sukhu wins the election from this seat, not only will Sukhu’s stature in the party increase but the family’s reputation will also be saved.
Who is ahead and who is behind in 3 seats of Himachal?
From Dehra seat in Himachal, Congress candidate and CM Sukhu’s wife Kamlesh Thakur is leading by 6115 votes after the eighth round of counting. He has got a total of 24957 votes so far, while BJP candidate and former MLA Hoshiar Singh has got 18842 votes so far. Talking about Hamirpur seat, Congress candidate Dr. Pushpendra Verma is trailing by 67 votes after the fifth round of counting. BJP’s Ashish Sharma is seen contesting him on this seat. He has received a total of 15120 votes so far. Talking about the Nalagarh seat of Himachal, Congress candidate Hardeep Singh Bawa is leading here as well. After the fourth round of counting, he has 15353 votes in his favor while BJP candidate KL Thakur is trailing by 3078 votes.
Certificates are at stake but there is no threat to the government
In the 68-seat Himachal Assembly, the Congress has enough majority to save the government. While Congress has 38 seats and BJP has 27 seats. At the same time, the results of the by-elections to the 3 seats left vacant due to the resignation of independents will reveal whether the BJP grows in stature in the state or CM Sukhu succeeds in strengthening his party in the state.
Opportunity for BJP?
The BJP has a chance to repeat its Lok Sabha election performance in the Himachal bypolls. BJP wants to win all the three assembly seats like in the Lok Sabha elections, which will strengthen the party in the assembly. The majority figure in Himachal is 35, so if BJP manages to win these three seats, BJP will have 30 seats in the assembly. In such a situation, Congress has to move boldly, even one wrong decision by CM Sukhu and displeasure of party MLAs can do big damage anytime.
