The Election Commission last week announced assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh on November 12, but the poll panel, following the precedent set by its predecessors in 2017 and with a view to curtailing the period of the Model Code of Conduct so that it does not hinder policy decisions and governance, put in abeyance announcement of polls in Gujarat.
Though the term of the Himachal assembly expires on January 8, 2023, EC, keeping in mind the onset of snow in the higher reaches of the state around mid-November and the logistical problems it could entail, decided to bring forward the polling to November 12, even as counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.
The nearly four-week gap between polling and counting in Himachal is a clear indication of an announcement of Gujarat assembly polls in a week or two. Sources indicated that polling in Gujarat, which may be held in 1-2 phases, is likely to be completed by December 4, followed by counting alongside Himachal. Though the term of the current Gujarat assembly expires only on February 18 next year, polls in the state will be held earlier to avoid any impact of Himachal results on the level-playing field.
Though Himachal has so far seen direct political contest between BJP and Congress, Aam Aadmi Party has tried to make it a triangular one this time. For nearly 37 years, BJP and Congress have switched benches in the state alternately every five years. But under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP is hoping to defy this pattern.
Also, the contest in Himachal this time will be in the absence of familiar faces who have dominated the state’s politics for years. While Congress leader and former CM Vir Bhadra Singh is no more, BJP’s Shanta Kumar, who has also been CM, is out of action due to advancing age. Another former CM, Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was BJP’s face in the last elections, is out of contention after his shock defeat.
In 2017, EC had, under then chief election commissioner A K Joti, announced Himachal polls on October 13 and Gujarat polls separately on October 25.
