Celebrations in Shimla

MOOD AT MALL BJP’S Suresh Bhardwaj and Vikramaditya of Congress winning, it was party time on both sides

SHIMLA: Emotions ran high at outgoing chief minister Virbhadra Singh’s private residence, Holly Lodge, as Congress workers made a beeline to felicitate him and his son, Vikramaditya Singh, for winning the assembly elections from Arki and Shimla rural, respectively. BJP workers were also upbeat as they gathered at the Mall when it emerged that the Modi wave had indeed swept the hill state.

Virbhadra was overwhelmed when his son, Vikramaditya, returned after being declared elected from Shimla rural.

The Election Commission put up big screen at Scandal Point to display the results. People started gathering soon after counting started and by afternoon the Mall was packed. People stood gazing at the screen and discussing the political scenario. Though initial trends established a BJP lead on expected lines, some in the crowd still believed the Congress could bounce back.

As the day progressed, news of BJP bigwigs such as Prem Kumar Dhumal, Ravinder Singh Ravi, Randhir Sharma, and Gulab Singh Thakur trailing left many in shock.

BJP workers were hopeful of Dhumal’s win till late in the evening. “These are trends but by the time the results are out, big leaders of the BJP will win,” said Harish Thakur of Shimla.

“We are happy about the BJP’S victory in Shimla and the state but the defeat of Dhumal ji and other senior leaders is a big setback,” said Anshul Malhotra, another resident of Shimla.

Most of those who had gathered at Scandal Point were either supporters of Bhardwaj or Vikramaditya. So the day ended with celebrations on both sides.

Vikramaditya’s supporters celebrated his victory near Ridge Maidan, where they were waiting for him with garlands to greet him on his successful debut in the assembly.

INDEPENDENTS

PLAY SPOILSPORT However, it was the independents who played a spoilsport for both the BJP and Congress. In Dehra assembly segment, Independent candidate Hoshiyar Singh defeated BJP strongman Ravinder Singh Ravi by a margin of 4,000 votes. In Jogindernagar, Independent candidate Prakash Rana defeated former BJP minister Gulab Singh Thakur by 8,000 votes.