Top guns in battle of ballot

Notwithstanding the high stakes, the octogenarian incumbent is going great guns in his ninth assembly elections, even as his arch-rival and two-time chief minister hopes to win it big riding on the Modi wave

Virbhadra Singh, 83, Congress Education: Post graduate

Political career: A six-time chief minister, he is the oldest candidate in the fray this time. He has served as a central minister thrice.

Political gravitas: He is the face of the Congress and holds considerable sway in upper Himachal. Politically savvy, he is a survivor and knows how to have his way. Blind spot: Dynasty. His wife, Pratibha Singh, is a two-time former MP. His son, Vikramaditya Singh, is the Congress candidate from Shimla Rural, a seat he vacated. Congress bent the ‘one family, one ticket’ rule for his son. Focus of campaign: Development remained the core theme. On corruption, he took on Modi and played the victim of political vendetta.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, 73, BJP

Education: Post graduate

Political career: A two-time former chief minister, he is presently the leader of opposition in the state assembly. He has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Hamirpur thrice.

Political gravitas: Dhumal is the CM face of BJP in this election. Accessible and down-to-earth politician, he holds sway in Hamirpur and helped the party make inroads in Upper Himachal.

Blind spot: Dynasty. His son, Anurag Thakur, thrived in heirloom politics and is a three-time MP from Hamirpur. Dhumal got embroiled in controversy over leasing of govt land to HP cricket association headed by Anurag for building a luxury hotel.

Focus of campaign: Populist promises, corruption-free government and improved law and order.