BJP government in power at present: Currently, the government is of BJP in Himachal and Jai Ram Thakur is the Chief Minister. There are a total 68 assembly seats in Himachal. Talking about the last elections, in 2017 BJP had won 44 seats. 21 seats were bagged by Congress.
At present the equations are like this: In Himachal, this time a close fight can be seen between the Congress and BJP. The BJP may have registered a big victory in the last election by bagging 44 seats but it had to face defeat in three by-elections in the state. After the by-elections, BJP now has 43 seats. The Congress has 22 and two independent MLAs are with the BJP. Only one seat is with CPI(M) in the state.
Keen contest likely: The direct contest in this election is between BJP and Congress. Both the parties have been in power in the state during different periods. Congress also seems to have a heavy edge because despite having a BJP government in the state, it won the by-elections and the Mandi Lok Sabha.
BJP ahead in campaigning: The campaigning of the ruling BJP is at its peak with its top brass leaders hitting the ground with back-to-back election rallies. But the Congress’s top central leadership is yet to be seen in a combat mode. Only just now Priyanka Gandhi has reached Himachal to launch campaigning for the party.
Who will be the face of the CM post?: At present, only speculations can be made about who will be the face of CM post in Himachal from Congress. Talking about BJP, the saffron party will be in the electoral fray under the leadership of the current Chief Minister Jai Ram Singh Thakur.
But along with Jai Ram Thakur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also throw his weight here. It is also believed that if BJP comes back to power, the chief minister's face can be changed. In that situation, some more faces in BJP may join the race for Chief Minister, in which the first name will be of Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
AAP also in fray: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is projecting itself as the third option in the well-entrenched bipolar political landscape of Himachal Pradesh. Despite AAP striving hard to make inroads ahead of the polls, political scenario in Himachal Pradesh seems so far largely bipolar.
Virbhadra Singh's wife could be in the electoral fray: At present, only Virbhadra Singh's wife could be the CM face for Congress. Congress can enter the electoral fray projecting his wife Pratibha Singh. Virbhadra Singh was the Chief Minister of Himachal six times and his entire family has a lot of influence in Himachal. This is the reason why Congress is playing bets only on his wife.
Himachal election issues: As far as electoral issues are concerned, unemployment is going to be the major poll issue. Other issues like inflation and good governance are also on the agenda of voters. The increasing suicides by farmers and local level issues will dominate the election. According to Congress, the government is waiving the loans of traders and recovering it from the general public and farmers. On the other hand, BJP is constantly trying to bring development issues to the fore.
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