The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) hailed the victory of its candidate Rakesh Singha from Theog in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election on Monday.
CPI-M’s Rakesh Singha defeated his near rival Rakesh Verma of the BJP from Theog.
“This victory is all the more significant as it comes in the background of a highly polarized election between two major parties,” a statement from the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.
“This victory reflects the faith the people of Theog have reposed in the CPI-M to protect their rights and work for people’s interests in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly,” said the party.
CPI-M congratulated their candidate Rakesh Singha and the people of Theog on Twitter.
Comrade Rakesh Singha wins from the Theog constituency. Congratulations to the people of Theog and @cpim_hp!#HimachalPradeshElections#ElectionResults2017 pic.twitter.com/SReHreFdtZ
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) December 18, 2017
The Bharatiya Janata Party needs 35 seats to control the Himachal Assembly.
The saffron party won its first seat by defeating Congress cabinet Minister Prakash Chaudhary from Balh in Mandi district with a big margin. BJP’s Inder Singh Gandhi won this seat.
Likewise, BJP’s Ravindra Dhiman defeated Congress’ sitting legislator Yadvinder Goma from Jaisinghpur, Kishori Lal of the BJP defeated Bansi Lal of the Congress from the Anni seat.
BJP’s sitting legislator Suresh Bhardwaj retained his Shimla seat. He defeated Congress’ Harbhajan Bhajji.
BJP and Congress veterans Ravinder Ravi and Viplove Thakur, respectively, faced humiliating defeat from Independent Hoshiar Singh from Dehra.
Congress’ sitting legislator Anirudh Singh retained his Kasumpti seat by defeating BJP’s Vijay Jyoti Sain. Both belong to the royal families.
(With agency inputs)