Congress springs surprise victories in Himachal, Karnataka bypolls, BJP left in the lurch

The Indian National Congress has wrested victory from the hands of the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party in Himachal Pradesh where it won two BJP-held seats as well as maintaining the Fatehpur and Arki seats. In Karnataka too, the Congress won in Hangal, a BJP stronghold, by a margin of 7000 votes.

In Himachal Pradesh, the seat of Jubbal-Kotkhai was lost to the Congress due to a last minute gamble by the BJP that saw the son of deceased MLA Narinder Singh Braghta not getting a ticket for the polls. Chetan Singh Braghta then contested independently which divided the BJP voteshare and gave victory to the Congress. The Congress' victory in Mandi went to Prathibha Singh, wife of late Chief Minister Virbadhra Singh, who won by a margin of 7000 votes against BJP candidate and Kargil war hero Brigadier Khushal Thakur. The BJP had won in Mandi by a margin of 4 lakh votes in 2019, and was also a blow for Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur who had personally campaigned there. Votes in Himachal were counted for 29 assembly seats and three Lok Sabha seats.

"BJP has lost 2 out of 3 Lok Sabha seats. In Assemblies, BJP has lost at most places in direct contest with INC. HP, Raj., Karnataka & Maharashtra have witnessed it. Modi ji, Shed arrogance! Repeal 3 Black Laws! Stop Petrol-Diesel-Gas Loot! Disdain for people's pain is harmful," tweeted senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala. Rahul Gandhi also posted his congratulations. The party has claimed the victory is due to anti-incumbency sentiment stirred by rising petrol-diesel prices and unemployment. Meanwhile the BJP in Himachal claims that sections of party workers have conspired against the party for which action would be taken.

In Karnataka too, the Congress ambushed the BJP in Hangal, the home district of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, with rival Congress candidate Srinivas Mane winning by a margin of 7000 votes over BJP candidate Shivaraj Sajjanar.

"Elections are won and lost... these by-elections are fought on particular time and issues, and its outcome is not a complete verdict. However, I have taken this election setback very seriously and we will do all the corrections," the Chief Minister said. He has been backed by B.S Yeddyurappa who has dispersed the blame amongst the combined leadership rather than the Chief Minister alone.