BJP's Mixed Fortunes in Himachal Pradesh: Lok Sabha Victory but Assembly Setbacks.. Fate of Three MLAs Hangs in Balance..
On June 4, 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinched victory for the third consecutive time in all four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, marking a significant triumph.
However, the party faced setbacks in six assembly by-polls, losing in four constituencies. This mixed outcome reflects the diverse political landscape in the state.
Prior to the Rajya Sabha elections, the BJP employed a strategic maneuver by encouraging defection among six Congress MLAs, resulting in a victory for their candidate.
However, in the subsequent assembly by-polls, four of these defectors, despite being fielded by the BJP, failed to retain their seats. This indicates a shift in voter sentiment, possibly driven by discontent over party-switching.
The Congress party saw an increase in its assembly seats from 34 to 38 after the by-polls, further highlighting the electorate's divergence from national trends.
The resignation of three independent MLAs reduced the assembly's strength to 65, paving the way for potential by-polls in the Nalagarh, Dehra, and Hamirpur constituencies in the coming months.
The former independent MLAs, who joined the BJP with the condition of receiving tickets, may face significant challenges in retaining their seats.
Despite BJP's considerations, the electorate's discontent towards these defectors appears to outweigh their party affiliation.
Reports suggest that the former MLAs are disheartened by the by-poll results, sparking discussions within the BJP about reconsidering their candidature.
While the BJP received support in the Lok Sabha elections, the state's political dynamics present a different scenario.
The defeat of party-switching MLAs signifies a rejection of opportunistic politics by the electorate.
The Congress could capitalize on this sentiment by highlighting BJP's imposition of by-polls without valid reasons.
The path ahead for the former independent MLAs turned BJP candidates—K L Thakur, Ashish Sharma, and Hoshiyar Singh—seems challenging as they face the test of retaining their seats and proving their allegiance to the BJP.
(Mohinder Nath Sofat is a Social media Commentator and Critic)
