Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Emerges Victorious in Himachal Pradesh Bypolls, Strengthens Congress’s Position

 Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Emerges Victorious in Himachal Pradesh Bypolls, Strengthens Congress’s Position

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has cemented his position as a formidable leader in the state’s politics after his party, the Indian National Congress, won two out of the three Assembly seats in the recent bypolls. The results have not only strengthened Sukhu’s grip on the state government but have also showcased his political acumen and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Congress’s victory in the bypolls comes as a relief for Sukhu’s government, which had faced a setback earlier this year when six of its MLAs voted in favor of the BJP’s candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. This defection had reduced the Congress’s tally in the 68-member Assembly to 34, just one short of the majority mark. However, Sukhu’s political prowess came to the fore when the Congress won four out of the six seats in the bypolls held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in June.

The recent bypolls, which were necessitated by the resignations of three Independent MLAs who had joined the BJP, saw the Congress winning the Dehra and Nalagarh seats, while narrowly losing the Hamirpur seat to the BJP. The Dehra victory holds particular significance as it marks the first time in 25 years that the Congress has won the seat[3]. Sukhu’s decision to field his wife, Kamlesh Thakur, against the BJP’s Hoshyar Singh in Dehra paid off, with Thakur defeating her opponent by a margin of 9,399 votes.

The bypolls have not only strengthened Sukhu’s position within the Congress party but have also showcased his ability to navigate the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister’s humble beginnings, rising through the ranks of the party from a student leader to the state president, have earned him respect and admiration from his colleagues and constituents alike.

Sukhu’s political journey has been marked by his willingness to speak his mind on matters within and outside the party, often putting him at odds with the late Virbhadra Singh, a Congress stalwart and six-time Chief Minister of the state. However, his astute political skills and close relationship with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have helped him navigate the challenges and emerge as a key player in Himachal Pradesh politics.

The bypolls have also highlighted the differences between the Congress and the BJP in the state. While the Congress has been able to win over the voters with its promises of transparent governance and implementation of election guarantees, the BJP has been accused of resorting to “threatening tactics” and “misusing government machinery” to influence the results.

The outcome of the bypolls has not only strengthened Sukhu’s position but has also restored the Congress’s majority in the state Assembly, with the party now having 40 seats out of the 68. The BJP, on the other hand, has been reduced to 28 seats. The results have also dealt a blow to the BJP’s efforts to destabilize the Congress government in the state.

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