Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections result 2017: As it happened

All eyes are on the next CM of the hill state

By Zee Media Bureau | Last Updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2017 - 00:39

SHIMLA/NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday swept the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections results 2017, decimating the incumbent Congress regime on its way. The party has won 44 seats in the 68-member Assembly. 

However, the party's win turned out to be bittersweet as star candidates Prem Kumar Dhumal (BJP CM candidate) and state party chief Satpal Singh Satti lost their seats. Their defeat has put a question mark on the face of the party's next chief minister in the hill state.

It is still unclear is the BJP parliamentary board, due to meet on December 20, will go for Dhumal as the chief minister or introduce a new face. The name of Union minister JP Nadda, who was earlier a part of BJP Himachal cabinet, has started doing the rounds. 

Thanking the voters of Himachal and Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter commenting that 'Vikas' (development) has won. Party chief Amit Shah also thanked the voters of the two states. 

Accepting defeat, newly-elevated Congress chief Rahul Gandhi posted a congratulatory tweet for BJP. 

Meanwhile, BJP veterans and senior leaders did not shy away to take credit for the polls. "Himachal polls didn't even feel like a contest,” said union minister Smriti Irani while adding, “Jo Jeeta Wahi  Sikander”.  

PM Modi also flashed a  victory sign, following which BJP cadres started celebrating the party's victory across the country. 

Rival Congress snapped just 21 seats, CPI(M) 1 and independents 2. Incumbent chief minister Virbhadra Singh and his son have won their constituencies.

The hill state has a history of electing a different party in each assembly election. BJP and Congress have been winning the state every alternate election. The initial morning trends presented an early lead for BJP. But Congress soon closed the gap. Later, BJP later bounced back in the game and by 10 am, the party had crossed the halfway mark to victory.

Below, we keep track of the latest from the vote counting centres:

Watch Live: Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election results 2017 with ZEE News

18 December 2017, 23:25 PM

Final seat tally for Himachal Pradesh: BJP 44, Congress 21, CPI (M) 1 and independents 2. 

18 December 2017, 21:47 PM

According to Election Commission: 

BJP won 44 seats out of 68.
CPI(M) won 1 
Congress won 20
Independent won 1.

18 December 2017, 20:48 PM

The Congress and the BJP had 36 and 26 seats respectively in the outgoing House.

18 December 2017, 20:48 PM

The hill state had witnessed a record 75.28 per cent turnout.

18 December 2017, 18:40 PM

During UP elections it was said BJP would lose due to GST effect in urban areas, same was said in Gujarat elections and local body polls in Maharashtra: PM Modi

18 December 2017, 18:38 PM

Gujarat and Himachal elections have proved people are ready for reforms: PM Modi

18 December 2017, 18:35 PM

Himachal voters did not accept the corrupt government. This is a sign of positivity and hope for development: PM Modi

18 December 2017, 18:34 PM

PM Modi thank the voters of Himachal and Gujarat in his victory speech.

18 December 2017, 18:28 PM

BJP has got a 2/3 victory in Himachal elections. This reflects people's trust on BJP. People of Himachal have voted against corruption: Shah

18 December 2017, 18:27 PM

Amit Shah takes the dias, speaks on BJP's historic win for last 22 years in Gujarat.

18 December 2017, 18:26 PM

Charts of 'Modi, Modi' engulf the entire headquarters. Shah asks party cadres to let in speak for 5 minutes in jest.

18 December 2017, 18:22 PM

According to the EC:

  • BJP has won 30 seats and leading in 14 seats
  • Congress had won 17 seats, leading in 4 

 

18 December 2017, 18:22 PM

18 December 2017, 18:11 PM

PM Modi reached BJP headquarters. 

18 December 2017, 17:53 PM

"It's a symbol of people's confidence in Congress. Thankful that they made me victorious. We have never stepped back from serving people in Sujanpur & we will always serve them," said Congress's Rajinder Rana who won in Sujanpur seat against Prem Kumar Dhumal

18 December 2017, 17:52 PM

Incumbent CM Virbhadra Singh managed to win from Arki with a lower margin of 6051 votes.He won by defeating BJP candidate Rattan Singh Pal.

18 December 2017, 17:18 PM

ECI's latest Partywise Trends & Result:

Bharatiya Janata Party wins 23 seats
Communist Party of India (Marxist) wins 1 seat
Congress wins 13 seats
Independent wins 1 seat

18 December 2017, 17:09 PM

"Personal loss is not of much importance.The gain that victory has brought to state BJP is important. Thankful to people of the state for voting for BJP. In politics, sometimes one wins, sometimes one loses. I was not expecting to lose, I will do an analysis," said Dhumal 

18 December 2017, 16:41 PM

ECI's latest Partywise Trends & Result:

  • Bharatiya Janata Party wins 17 seats
  • Communist Party of India (Marxist) wins 1 seat
  • Congress wins 10 seats
  • Independent wins 1 seat

18 December 2017, 16:32 PM

New Congress president Rahul Gandhi congratulates BJP for its win in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat with a tweet: 

 

18 December 2017, 16:32 PM

New Congress president Rahul Gandhi congratulates BJP for its win in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat with a tweet: 

 

18 December 2017, 16:28 PM

BJP's Pawan Nayyar win Chamba constituency by 1879 votes

18 December 2017, 16:24 PM

BJP's SUBHASH THAKUR wins Bilaspur seat by 6862 vote

18 December 2017, 16:23 PM

BJP's Jia Lal wins Bharmour seat by 7349 votes

18 December 2017, 16:19 PM

BJP's Kishori Lal wins Anni seat by 5983 votes

18 December 2017, 16:16 PM

BJP has won 15 seats, leading in 29 seats.

18 December 2017, 16:12 PM

BJP has witnessed an increase of 10% in vote share in Himachal Pradesh elections: Shah

18 December 2017, 16:06 PM

BJP chief Amit Shah thanks the voters of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat

"This is a victory of our policies and plans, a victory of polictics and performance, not casteism, dynasty and appeasement," said Shah.

18 December 2017, 15:57 PM

Accepting BJP's victory in the hill state, incumbent chief minister and Congress candidate Virbhadra Singh said, "I accept the victory of BJP. I, being the CM, take full responsibility of our performance here. I hope Vikramaditya (Singh) keeps winning in future, like he won today."

18 December 2017, 15:55 PM

ECI announces results for 19 Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh:

 

  • Bharatiya Janata Party wins: 11 
  • Communist Party of India (Marxist) wins: 1
  • Congress wins: 7 

 

18 December 2017, 15:45 PM

18 December 2017, 15:36 PM

"I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

18 December 2017, 15:35 PM

"Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hardwork which has led to these impressive victories," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

18 December 2017, 15:26 PM

18 December 2017, 15:25 PM

BJP chief Amit Shah arrives at party headquarters in Delhi. 

18 December 2017, 15:24 PM

Results for 15 out of 68 seats in Himachal Pradesh Assembly election 2017 declared:

  • Bharatiya Janata Party wins: 9 seats
  • Congress wins: 5 seats
  • Communist Party of India (Marxist) wins: 1 seat

 

18 December 2017, 15:07 PM

Battle for Himachal: Can Dhumal spring a surprise? Or will a new party face be the Himachal CM?

18 December 2017, 15:01 PM

BJP poised to take power in Himachal, wins 4 seats, leading in over 40.

 

18 December 2017, 14:59 PM

Himachal Pradesh Election Results: BJP candidate Sukh Ram wins from Paonta Sahib

18 December 2017, 14:58 PM

Anger over demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) failed yet again to deliver the votes of discontent to the Congress that the grand old party had hoped for. Read more

18 December 2017, 14:51 PM

According to latest Election Commission data:

  • Bharatiya Janata Party has won 8 seats and leading in 37 
  • Communist Party of India (Marxist) has one seat
  • Indian National Congress has won 4 seats and leading in 15 
  • Independent is leading in 3 seats

 

18 December 2017, 14:49 PM

BJP Parliamentary party meeting to be held at Parliament Library building on Tuesday, December 19. The meet is likely to discuss the future course of action in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat and also ponder over the next Chief Minister of the hill state

18 December 2017, 14:25 PM

Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Kajal wins from Kangra

18 December 2017, 14:24 PM

Himachal election results: Trends available for 68/68 seats

BJP ahead in 40
Congress ahead in 24
Others - 4

18 December 2017, 14:10 PM

No of seats won by parties so far:

Bharatiya Janata Party: 3 (leading in 40)

Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1

Indian National Congress: 2 (leading in 19)

Independent: (leading in 3)

ECI data

18 December 2017, 14:10 PM

No of seats won by parties so far:

Bharatiya Janata Party: 3 (leading in 40)

Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1

Indian National Congress: 2 (leading in 19)

Independent: (leading in 3)

ECI data

18 December 2017, 14:10 PM

No of seats won by parties so far:

Bharatiya Janata Party: 3 (leading in 40)

Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1

Indian National Congress: 2 (leading in 19)

Independent: (leading in 3)

ECI data

18 December 2017, 14:10 PM

No of seats won by parties so far:

Bharatiya Janata Party: 3 (leading in 40)

Communist Party of India (Marxist): 1

Indian National Congress: 2 (leading in 19)

Independent: (leading in 3)

ECI data

18 December 2017, 14:02 PM

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