The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the new Himachal Pradesh government, but minus its chief ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal. In the last election in 2012, the Congress won 36 seats and the BJP 26, while six seats went to Independent candidates. Dhumal's supporter and state BJP chief Satpal Satti also lost his Una seat to Satpal Singh Razda of Congress. Singh won his Arki seat without much of a threat and also ensured his son Vikramaditya Singh's debut from Shimla (Rural). Himachal was left to Singh, despite knowing well that he was fighting with his back to the wall, following the corruption probe.

Source: dna December 18, 2017 20:15 UTC