Himachal Pradesh continues its trend of alternating governments as Congress storms to power

New Delhi: With the Congress winning the Himachal Pradesh elections on Thursday, party leaders thanked the people of state for reposing faith in it and giving a clear mandate. “This victory is of all of you. Thank you Himachal Pradesh,” the party said in a tweet in Hindi from its official handle.

यह जीत आप सबकी है।

धन्यवाद हिमाचल प्रदेश pic.twitter.com/0DxwVHO48q

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 8, 2022

The Congress now will be in power in three states on its own and in as many others – Jharkhand, Bihar Tamil Nadu – in alliance. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the people of Himachal and credited them and party leaders for the victory of his party. He said Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has also helped in this win and thanked former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her support in these elections. He said it is a long journey ahead and “we will all sit together and discuss the way forward”. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Himachal Pradesh for this decisive victory. Hearty congratulations to all Congress workers and leaders. Your hard work and dedication are truly behind this victory,” he said in a tweet in Hindi. “I assure you again, every promise made to the public will be fulfilled at the earliest,” Gandhi added.

हम गुजरात के लोगों का जनादेश विनम्रतापूर्वक स्वीकार करते हैं।

हम पुनर्गठन कर, कड़ी मेहनत करेंगे और देश के आदर्शों और प्रदेशवासियों के हक़ की लड़ाई जारी रखेंगे।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2022

Congress leader and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said his party would protect its MLAs from the fear of poaching by the BJP. Baghel was the party’s senior observer for Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh congratulated the people of the state for the party’s victory in the state. “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the people of Himachal and party workers for the huge victory of the Congress in Himachal assembly elections. This is the victory of all of you,” Singh said in a tweet in Hindi. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath said, “The beauty of democracy lies not in the power of any party but in the power of the people.” AICC in-charge for party affairs in Himachal Pradesh Rajeev Shukla said the party workers did well and thanked all the leaders for campaigning in the elections. Senior Congress leader and former union minister Anand Sharma hoped the Congress victory in Himachal Pradesh will have ripple effect in states going to poll next year. He said he was happy that the people of Himachal Pradesh demonstrated wisdom and maturity to give the Congress a decisive victory and a stable majority. “Delighted over the victory of Congress in my home state Himachal Pradesh. I thank our people, the voters and people of Himachal who have demonstrated wisdom and maturity to give Congress a decisive victory and stable majority,” he said. “The victory will have resonance and a ripple effective in states that will go to elections next year,” he also said. Sharma, a member of the G23 grouping, had campaigned for the party in Himachal assembly polls, but later had lamented that the party did not utilise his services well. “Equally also congratulating all the Congress workers for their spirited campaign and not overwhelmed by BJP’s carpet bombing and unprecedented use of resources. Devbhomi has sent a message, loud and clear – withdraw the Agniveer scheme and restore the old pension scheme,” he said on Twitter. He said a united congress will provide a government that will take forward the developmental agenda and fulfil the promises made to the people. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala congratulated people party workers. “Truth and progress have won while lies and deceit have failed,” he said in a tweet in Hindi. The Congress has achieved a simple majority in Himachal Pradesh, winning 39 seats and leading in another. With the Congress winning the Himachal Pradesh polls, its leaders on Thursday credited party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s campaign in the hill state for the good showing of the party in the assembly elections. Priyanka Gandhi led the party’s charge in Himachal Pradesh with several rallies and was also closely involved in strategy planning for the polls. Many leaders hailed her leadership in securing the win for the party and defeating the BJP’s election machinery. “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Himachal Pradesh for giving the mandate to the Indian National Congress. This victory is the victory of people’s issues and their resolve to progress. Best wishes to all the leaders and workers of the Congress party. Your hard work paid off,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajeev Shukla hailed Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign and leadership, lauding the “hard work” put in by her. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma also complimented Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her “spirited” campaign in the state. This is Priyanka Gandhi’s first electoral success while heading the campaign charge. The party had lost Uttar Pradesh assembly polls while she spearheaded the canvassing there earlier this year. Party sources said the team of Priyanka Gandhi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who was the senior observer for the polls, played an important role in formulating the election campaign. Based on the feedback, a systematic election campaign was prepared under the leadership of Priyanka Gandhi that involved framing of welfare schemes for women, youth, and employees, the sources said. During her rallies in Sirmour, Kangra, Solan and Una, Priyanka Gandhi raised the issues of Agnipath, inflation, unemployment and the old pension scheme. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.