Himachal Election Results: Congress dislodges BJP, wins 40 out of 68 seats

The Congress has dislodged the BJP from Himachal Pradesh after winning 40 out of 68 seats. The BJP has won 25 seats and independents won 3 other seats

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who won for the sixth time from Seraj assembly seat in Mandi district, said he respects the mandate of the people and submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

The vote share difference for the Congress and the BJP was less than one per cent. While the Congress polled 43.9 per cent votes, the vote share for the BJP was 43 per cent.

Anti-incumbency against the ruling BJP government coupled with the issue of price rise with Congress promising restoration of the old pension scheme and providing Rs 1,500 to every adult woman in the state seemed to be the main factors that worked in favour of the grand old party.

With the BJP slogan of 'Raj nahin, riwaaj badlenge' (changing tradition and not the government) being rejected by voters, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi thanked the people of the hill state for the "decisive win" and assured them that every promise made by the party will be fulfilled.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajeev Shukla hailed Priyanka Gandhi's campaign and leadership, lauding the "hard work" put in by her.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma also complimented her for her "spirited" campaign in the state.

He said the Congress victory in Himachal Pradesh will have resonance and ripple effect in poll-bound states next year.

The AAP, which had fielded candidates in 67 seats, failed to make a debut and had a meagre vote share of 1.1 per cent.