Himachal Elections 2022: BJP chief slams Rahul Gandhi for absence in Congress campaign

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Take a look at what prominent leaders, commentators, and netizens are talking about on the voting day.

Pic Credit: File Photo

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: There is a continuous buzz on social media as voting for the Assembly Elections will begin at 8 am on Saturday (Nov 12) across Himachal Pradesh to elect leaders in 68 constituencies. While Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party are old players in the state, this year the Aam Aadmi Party and Communist Party of India (M) also entered the field. Currently, the BJP is in power with Jai Ram Thakur as the Chief Minister. Congress forms the Opposition in the state. This year, the main polling issues in the hill state are unemployment, especially the lack of government jobs.

Main polling issues

Another big issue is the disgruntled apple farmers of the state who are protesting against high costs of production and low prices. Other than that, the Old Pension Plan has also become a polling talking point with the Congress promising to bring back the scheme. It has done so in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

BJP, Congress Campaigns

In terms of campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several visits to key areas of the state to draw supporters for 'Mission Repeat' -- for another term with the BJP. The party saw several of its candidates ditching it and standing as independents. The Congress, on the other hand, saw many candidates leave and join the BJP ahead of polls. Its campaign was led by Priyanka Gandhi as Rahul Gandhi was busy with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. 

Thank you for staying tuned to Zee News for latest updates on trending opinions on Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022.

12 November 2022

14:44 IST

J P Nadda reacts to Rahul Gandhi's absence from Himachal campaign

Speaking about Rahul Gandhi not campaigning in Himachal Pradesh, the BJP chief said, "Once they feel they're winning or can win, they'll all come here for credit. They know they won't gain anything. So they won't be seen."

They're careerist leaders, realised that they'll gain nothing in HP & Guj. Once they feel they're winning or can win, they'll all come here for credit. They know they won't gain anything. So they won't be seen: BJP chief on Rahul Gandhi not campaigning for #HimachalElection2022 pic.twitter.com/KpITbjOS7Q

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

12:55 IST

'People want the govt repeated': BJP chief J P Nadda

On Himachal Pradesh Assembly Polling Day, BJP party president J P Nadda, "It will definitely change. People have made up their mind to change the tradition because the development in last 5 yrs can be seen on ground. So, there's an atmosphere of joy & people want the Govt repeated: BJP chief on the alternating party trend ."

It will definitely change. People have made up their mind to change the tradition because the development in last 5 yrs can be seen on ground. So, there's an atmosphere of joy & people want the Govt repeated: BJP chief on the alternating party trend #HimachalPradeshElection2022 pic.twitter.com/8QrMyzAho2

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

12:27 IST

Himachal Assembly Elections 2022: 157 Polling stations solely managed by women 

Election Commission Chief Rajiv Kumar told ANI that, 157 polling stations across the state are such that are being managed solely by women staff. In Hamirpur district, crèche facility has also been made available so that those who come with children don't have to face any issue, told CEC Kumar.

#HimachalPradeshElections | 157 polling stations across the state are such that are being managed solely by women staff. In Hamirpur district, crèche facility has also been made available so that those who come with children don't have to face any issue: CEC Rajiv Kumar pic.twitter.com/D7wueeb3kk

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

10:58 IST

Congress MP Anand Sharma: 'There's a mood for change'

As Congress and BJP battle over power in the hill state, Congress MP Anand Sharma said, "There's mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered esp Govt employees, youth despondent because of unemployment, women & young people who'll serve after Agnipath."

There's mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered esp Govt employees, youth despondent because of unemployment, women & young people who'll serve after Agnipath: A Sharma

"We'll have strong majority, they won't succeed," -he says on if there can be poaching of Cong MLAs pic.twitter.com/I4tvCYiRNA

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

10:12 IST

HP Polls 2022: Union Minister Anurag Thakur accuses Congress of making false promises

While speaking to ANI on polling day, Thakur said, "Our govt formed yet again in Uttarakhand, UP, Manipur & Goa, it will happen this time in HP & Gujarat, as well... Congress has a habit of making false promises & the public knows their real face."

HP | Our govt formed yet again in Uttarakhand, UP, Manipur & Goa, it will happen this time in HP & Gujarat, as well... Congress has a habit of making false promises & the public knows their real face: Anurag Thakur, Union Minister & BJP MP from Hamirpur#AssemblyPolls2022 pic.twitter.com/1uOkbbGmDM

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

09:25 IST

Himachal Pradesh Polls 2022: Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh says 'BJP will lose elections'

Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh told ANI, "In the recent bypoll in the state, the Government faced defeat. That was a semi-final, this is the final. They will lose these elections too. Congress will form government with majority."

In the recent bypoll in the state, the Government faced defeat. That was semi final, this is the final. They will lose these elections too. Congress will form government with majority: Vikramaditya Singh, Congress MLA#HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/YrVvW9MHZR

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

09:00 IST

Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022: CM Jairam Thakur, his family offer prayers in Mandi

Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur, his wife Sadhana Thakur & daughters Chandrika Thakur & Priyanka Thakur, offer prayers in Mandi, ahead of casting their votes for the state's Assembly election.

The Himachal Pradesh CM's daughter Chandrika Thakur said, "There is excitement. We are happy and relaxed. Mandi has always supported (CM Jairam Thakur). People must have seen the development that happened and they will definitely vote for BJP." (ANI)

There is excitement. We are happy and relaxed. Mandi has always supported (CM Jairam Thakur). People must have seen the development that happened and they will definitely vote for BJP: Chandrika Thakur, daughter of CM Jairam Thakur#HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/cxOyGCawi5

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

08:13 IST

Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022: CM Jai Ram Thakur's wife says, 'It's a special day...'

It's a very special day for us, as he (HP CM Jairam Thakur) campaigned across the state, being the CM. I pray to god to bless him with success, so our state reaches new heights. Himachal will change: Sadhana Thakur, wife of Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur#AssemblyPolls2022 pic.twitter.com/FOpr4xY8nR

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2022

07:56 IST

Himachal Pradesh 2022 Assembly Elections Buzz

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on polling day, extended well-wishes to the youth voting for the first time. He also urged voters of the 'Devebhoomi' to participate in the voting process with full enthusiasm. 

हिमाचल प्रदेश की सभी विधानसभा सीटों के लिए आज मतदान का दिन है। देवभूमि के समस्त मतदाताओं से मेरा निवेदन है कि वे लोकतंत्र के इस उत्सव में पूरे उत्साह के साथ भाग लें और वोटिंग का नया रिकॉर्ड बनाएं। इस अवसर पर पहली बार वोट देने वाले राज्य के सभी युवाओं को मेरी विशेष शुभकामनाएं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2022

07:40 IST

Himachal polls: Will seizures sway votes?

Record seizures made during ongoing Assembly Elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh: Election Commission of India. Seizures in Gujarat amounted to Rs 71.88 crores while seizures in Himachal Pradesh amounted to Rs 50.28 crores. (ANI)

Record seizures made during ongoing Assembly Elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh: Election Commission of India

Seizures in Gujarat amounted to Rs 71.88 crores while seizures in Himachal Pradesh amounted to Rs 50.28 crores.#GujaratAssemblyPolls #HimachalPradeshElections pic.twitter.com/6B23Yc7as4

— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2022

07:30 IST

Himachal Polls 2022: Key constituencies and players

The Kangra district has a maximum of 1,625 polling stations while the Lahaul-Spiti district has the lowest 92. There are 7,235 polling stations in rural and 646 polling stations in urban areas. Take a look at the key constituencies and players in the high-stake Himachal battle.

07:20 IST

Himachal Pradesh polls 2022: Which way will votes swing

The state saw some high-voltage political campaigning with political heavyweights across party lines campaigning in the state. This included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others. According to the Election Commission, there is a total of 55,92,828 electors of which 27,37,845 are women, 28,54,945 are men, and 38 are third-gender.