Congress Emerges Victorious in Himachal Pradesh By-Elections

Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh attributes her party's win in Dehra and Nalagarh by-elections to voter anger against Independent MLAs joining BJP. Congress secured seats in Dehra with Kamlesh Thakur and Nalagarh with Hardeep Singh Bawa. BJP won Hamirpur with candidate Ashish Sharma.

Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh cited public discontent towards Independent legislators who joined the BJP as a key factor for the party's recent victories in the Dehra and Nalagarh bypolls.

Singh said the electorate's frustration stemmed from the Independents' decision to switch allegiance despite being elected over Congress and BJP candidates. The Congress also fielded strong contenders, which contributed to their success, she added.

In Dehra, Congress' Kamlesh Thakur defeated the BJP's Hoshiyar Singh by 9,399 votes. In Nalagarh, Hardeep Singh Bawa of Congress secured a win against BJP's KL Thakur by 25,618 votes. Meanwhile, BJP's Ashish Sharma won the Hamirpur seat with 27,041 votes against Congress' Pushpinder Verma's 25,470 votes.

Singh highlighted that the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra by Rahul Gandhi had helped the Congress form a strong connection with the public. She also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to fulfill his electoral promises, strengthening public trust in Congress as a problem-solver.