Himachal creates new record 70% poll, CM predicts ‘bumper’ win

SHIMLA: On the day when weather played a perfect host, Himachal Pradesh recorded 70 per cent polling --- highest ever in any Lok Sabha poll as elections were held in a peaceful manner for four Lok Sabha constituencies, all with the BJP.

It was in 1998 Lok Sabha polls when the state recorded 65.32% voting. That time, the BJP had won three, out of four Lok Sabha seats.

There was a usual enthusiasm among the voters, in the length and width of the state, including snow-bound tribal belt and high altitude areas of Lahaul-spiti and Kinnaur, where the voters, especially women, came in traditional attires to vote.

A large number of voters at the polling booths were vocal about their choice of the party, which they voted. Modi was a buzz word at most places, including villages.

The 102-year old Shyam Saran Negi, Independent India's first voter, also voted at Kalpa where Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Gopal Chand extended him a red-carpet welcome.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur's assembly constituency of Seraj in Mandi district recorded highest 78 per cent polling in the state while the lowest 60 per cent was in Lahaul-spiti.

The Election Commission officials said the polling percentage may further increase as details from some polling booths, which are 11 to 14 km away from the road-heads were yet to arrive.

In 2009, the state had recorded 58.43 per cent polling which increased to 64.45 per cent in 2014 but this time Himachal Pradesh has set a new record.

Chief Minister, who was at Thunag, his native village, said, “BJP is heading for a bumper Voters display their inked fingers after casting their votes during the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections, at Theon village near Shimla, Sunday win in the state. We will create a new record of victory in terms of margins. The people of the state have voted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term. Our campaign was designed and executed in a way that focus was on Modi and his return.”

The BJP, this time, had denied tickets to veteran party leader Shanta Kumar in Kangra and Virender Kashyap in Shimla (Reverse). While Krishan Kapoor, a sitting cabinet minister and Gaddi leader was fielded in Kangra, Suresh Kashyap, a two-time MLA was BJP candidate in Shimla.

Anurag Thakur, a threetime MP and son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was contesting Hamirpur---a BJP strong fortress and Ram Swaroop Sharma, Mandi MP, was seeking his re-election.

The Congress, which had

lost power in 2017 to the BJP,

looked like fighting a losing battle as none of its senior

leaders including Virbhadra Singh showed interest to contest the poll. Mandi Lok Sabha seat had an interesting twist where former telecom minister Sukh Ram jumped the wall from the BJP to Congress to get a ticket for his grandson Ashray Sharma. As a result, his son Anil Sharma, a cabinet minister, had to resign from the government.

On other Lok Sabha seats, the Congress fielded sitting MLAS -- Ram Lal Thakur (Hamirpur), Col (retd) Dhani Ram Shandil (Shimla ) and Pawan Kajal (Kangra).

The party had major problems, which included a strong leadership to lead the Congress to the poll, lack of resources and booth management.

Replacing PCC president Sukhwinder Sukhu at the last moment with Kuldeep Rathore, a loyalist of former union minister Anand Sharma to appease Virbhadra Singh was also blunder for the party.