Vikas has won, bow to people of HP, Gujarat for trusting BJP, says PM Modi

Thanking the voters of Himachal and Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter on Monday afternoon saying that 'Vikas' (development) has won.

"I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly," he wrote.

With Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP likely to sweep Himachal Pradesh, all eyes are riveted on the next chief minister of the hill state. 

The party has won three seats and is currently leading in more than 40 seats. However, the party's two star candidates - CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal and state party chief Satpal Singh Satti - are trailing behing in their seats.

Will BJP parliamentary board choose to go with the Dhumal as the chief minister or can union minister JP Nadda, who was earlier a part of BJP Himachal cabinet, take the centre stage? This will be revealed over time. So far, the party has refused to divulge any details.

Party veterans and senior leaders did not shy away to take credit for the polls.

“Himachal polls didn't even feel like a contest,” said union minister Smriti Irani while adding, “Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander”. 

Soon after the results indicated a win for BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flashed a victory sign. Following this, BJP cadres started celebrating the party's victory across the country. 

Rival Congress, which is still leading in nearly 20 seats and has snapped one seat so far, has been quiet about its impending defeat in Himachal. Incumbent chief minister Virbhadra Singh and his son are both inching towards victory in their respective constituencies. 

The hill state has a history of electing a different party in each assembly election. BJP and Congress have been winning the state every alternate election.

The initial morning trends presented an early lead for BJP. But Congress soon closed the gap. Later, BJP later bounced back in the game and by 10 am, the party had crossed the halfway mark to victory. 

Exit polls had earlier predicted a clean sweep for BJP, replacing the Congress regime in the hill state.

-zee news