Congress wrests Himachal from BJP

The Congress fought back to oust the BJP from Himachal Pradesh - a state that traditionally votes out incumbent governments. Rahul Gandhi thanked the people for their mandate and promised them that pre-poll promised would be met. He also thanked the state's party leaders and workers. Three Independents also emerged victorious. Aam Aadmi Party, which had contested on 67 seats, failed to open its account. Anil Sharma of BJP has retained the Mandi seat, defeating his Congress rival Champa Thakur by a margin of over ten thousand votes. Ranbir Singh of BJP won the Nurpur assembly Constituency defeating Ajay Mahajan of Congress by a margin of over eighteen thousand seven hundred votes. Congress candidate Jagat Singh Negi has won from Kinnaur seat by defeating his nearest BJP rival Surat Negi by a margin of over six thousand nine hundred votes.

Congress won 40 of the seat's 68 seats, when reports lst came in.The BJP had 23 wins.  Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has won from Seraj Constituency, defeating his nearest Congress rival Chet Ram. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh, party leaders and workers for the party's victory in the State Assembly Election. Talking with media in New Delhi,. Kharge said, the party accepts the mandate the people of Gujarat are given. He also said, in democracy victory and losses happen as they are not permanent. Kharge said that the party will review the defeat in Gujarat and work to rectify shortcomings.