Of the four constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, a key constituency and BJP stronghold since 2009, is scheduled to go to polls on June 1 for the seventh phase of elections. The constituency is a SC reserved constituency and has a literacy rate of 72.84 percent.
India has 17 assembly constituencies spread across three districts. Solan includes Archi, Nalagarh, Doon, Solan and Kasauli constituencies. Sirmor includes Pachad, Nahan, Sri Renikazi, Paonta Sahib and Silai. Shimla includes Choppal, Theog, Kasumputi, Shimla, Shimla Rural, Jubbal Kochhai and Lor constituencies. In the last state assembly elections in 2017, the BJP won Doon, Kasauli, Pachad, Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Choppal, Shimla and Jubbal Kochhai constituencies. Theog constituency was won by the CPM and the remaining eight constituencies were won by the Indian National Congress.
Competitors
Among the slate of candidates contesting this battleground constituency, the BJP has fielded Suresh Kumar Kashyap for the second consecutive time to take on Vinod Sultanpuri of the Indian National Congress. The BJP has held its stronghold since 2009 and is aiming for its fourth consecutive victory in this election.
Last election results
In the 2019 general elections, Suresh Kumar Kashyap of the BJP won 606,183 votes, or 66.35%, narrowly defeating Dhani Ram Chandil of the Indian National Congress, who got 327,515 votes.
In the 2014 elections, Virender Kashyap of the BJP won 385,973 votes, or 52.88 percent of the votes, narrowly defeating Mohan Lal Brakta of the Indian National Congress, who got 84,187 votes.
In 2009, Virender Kashyap of the BJP defeated Dhani Ram Chandil of the Indian National Congress, again by a narrow margin of 27,327 votes, winning 310,946 votes or 50.42 percent of the votes. The counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will take place on June 4.
Published: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 06:32 AM IST
