Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister-elect Jairam Thakur Sunday thanked the Central leadership and other senior BJP leaders for proposing his name as the Legislature party leader.

The legislators&#39; decision came a day after Prem Kumar Dhumal- who was named BJP&#39;s prospective Chief Minister before the elections - pulled out of the race.&nbsp;

The swearing-in ceremony for the BJP leader will take place on December 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the ceremony.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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BJP delegation met Himachal Pradesh governor Acharya Dev Vrat and staked claim to form Government in the state. Jairam Thakur says &quot;swearing in ceremony to take place on 27th December, PM to attend&quot; <a href="https://t.co/bjvLu2TXJO">pic.twitter.com/bjvLu2TXJO</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944866934889123840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Addressing the media shortly after his appointment, Thakur said &quot; I thank everyone, central leadership, Prem Kumar Dhumal ji who proposed my name supported by JP Nadda, Shanta Kumar ji&quot;.

Thakur&#39;s name was announced at the Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s legislative party meet in Shimla today.

The meeting comprised Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar. State party in-charge Mangal Pandey was also present in the meeting.

Thakur was a minister in the previous BJP government and was state unit president between 2006-2009.

Thakur's name was announced at the Bharatiya Janata Party's legislative party meet in Shimla today

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister-elect Jairam Thakur Sunday thanked the Central leadership and other senior BJP leaders for proposing his name as the Legislature party leader. The legislators' decision came a day after Prem Kumar Dhumal- who was named BJP's prospective Chief Minister before the elections - pulled out of the race. The swearing-in ceremony for the BJP leader will take place on December 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the ceremony. BJP delegation met Himachal Pradesh governor Acharya Dev Vrat and staked claim to form Government in the state. Jairam Thakur says "swearing in ceremony to take place on 27th December, PM to attend" pic.twitter.com/bjvLu2TXJO — ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017 × Addressing the media shortly after his appointment, Thakur said " I thank everyone, central leadership, Prem Kumar Dhumal ji who proposed my name supported by JP Nadda, Shanta Kumar ji". Thakur's name was announced at the Bharatiya Janata Party's legislative party meet in Shimla today. The meeting comprised Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar. State party in-charge Mangal Pandey was also present in the meeting. Thakur was a minister in the previous BJP government and was state unit president between 2006-2009.

"I thank everyone, central leadership...," says Himachal CM-elect Jairam Thakur

Amid speculations regarding&nbsp;the appointment of the&nbsp;new chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal has clarified that he is out of the race.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was&nbsp;the BJP&#39;s chief ministerial candidate, said that despite his party&#39;s victory in the state he cannot become the chief minister as he could not win from his seat.&nbsp;

He cleared the speculations which were&nbsp;on the rife after he lost his seat.

Prem Kumar Dhumal had fought the elections&nbsp;from Sujanpur constituency. He lost the seat against Congress candidate Rajinder Rana.

He said he had clarified it on the day of the results itself.&nbsp;

Dhumal said that the decisions lay with the high command of the party.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-rupani-nitin-patel-swearing-in-ceremony-to-take-place-on-december-26-27547" target="_blank">Vijay Rupani to be sworn-in as chief minister on December 26</a>

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Despite BJP&#39;s great victory, unfortunately I could not win from my seat. Speculations rife that I am still in the running for Himachal CM.Had clarified on day of results itself that I am not in the running for any position.The decision lies with the high command:Prem Kumar Dhumal <a href="https://t.co/bAL9fM8GQT">pic.twitter.com/bAL9fM8GQT</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944582677323169792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Dhumal had changed his traditional constituency of Hamirpur and contested from Sujanpur in this election.

He was made the chief ministerial face only nine days before the polling.

&nbsp;

Amid speculations regarding?the appointment of the?new chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal has clarified that he is out of the race

Amid speculations regarding the appointment of the new chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal has clarified that he is out of the race. Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, said that despite his party's victory in the state he cannot become the chief minister as he could not win from his seat. He cleared the speculations which were on the rife after he lost his seat. Prem Kumar Dhumal had fought the elections from Sujanpur constituency. He lost the seat against Congress candidate Rajinder Rana. He said he had clarified it on the day of the results itself. Dhumal said that the decisions lay with the high command of the party. Also read: Vijay Rupani to be sworn-in as chief minister on December 26 Despite BJP's great victory, unfortunately I could not win from my seat. Speculations rife that I am still in the running for Himachal CM.Had clarified on day of results itself that I am not in the running for any position.The decision lies with the high command:Prem Kumar Dhumal pic.twitter.com/bAL9fM8GQT — ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017 × Dhumal had changed his traditional constituency of Hamirpur and contested from Sujanpur in this election. He was made the chief ministerial face only nine days before the polling.

Not running for chief minister's position: Prem Kumar Dhumal

BJP observers Nirmala <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2017himachal-pradesh-elections-himachal-poll-live-results-27015">Sitharaman, Narendra Singh Tomar and</a> party in-charge for Himachal Mangal Pandey held a meeting with RSS leaders in Shimla today.

Even as the meeting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-slowly-losing-power-ruling-only-four-states-following-election-27109">was going on supporters of former Himachal </a>CM Prem Kumar Dhumal who lost the recent state polls raised slogans in his support.

Senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar said observers have come from Delhi, raising slogans in favour of any one leader by party workers was wrong.

&quot;If I was the party president, I would have expelled such workers,&quot; Shanta Kumar said.

Dhumal was the chief ministerial face for Himachal but he lost the elections leading the BJP to hunt for a new chief minister.

Jairam Thakur who beat Chet Ram of the Congress from Seraj constituency is expected to be the next chief minister but the party is still looking for an acceptable face to lead the state which was earlier led by Congress.

The BJP won 44 seats in the 68-member house in Himachal with the Congress way behind with 21 seats. The only consolation for the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress was that Himachal Pradesh has a history of changing the ruling formation at its helm every five years.

Congress saw a jump of about 10 per cent in its vote share as compared to the last Assembly polls in 2012 but the BJP romped home with the required numbers to form a government in the state.

The CPI(M) made its presence felt by winning the Theog seat after 24 years. The party had won one seat in 1962, 1972 and 1993, but had drawn a blank in successive polls.

Even as the meeting was going on supporters of former Himachal CM Prem Kumar Dhumal who lost the recent state polls raised slogans in his support.

BJP observers Nirmala Sitharaman, Narendra Singh Tomar and party in-charge for Himachal Mangal Pandey held a meeting with RSS leaders in Shimla today. Even as the meeting was going on supporters of former Himachal CM Prem Kumar Dhumal who lost the recent state polls raised slogans in his support. Senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar said observers have come from Delhi, raising slogans in favour of any one leader by party workers was wrong. "If I was the party president, I would have expelled such workers," Shanta Kumar said. Dhumal was the chief ministerial face for Himachal but he lost the elections leading the BJP to hunt for a new chief minister. Jairam Thakur who beat Chet Ram of the Congress from Seraj constituency is expected to be the next chief minister but the party is still looking for an acceptable face to lead the state which was earlier led by Congress. The BJP won 44 seats in the 68-member house in Himachal with the Congress way behind with 21 seats. The only consolation for the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress was that Himachal Pradesh has a history of changing the ruling formation at its helm every five years. Congress saw a jump of about 10 per cent in its vote share as compared to the last Assembly polls in 2012 but the BJP romped home with the required numbers to form a government in the state. The CPI(M) made its presence felt by winning the Theog seat after 24 years. The party had won one seat in 1962, 1972 and 1993, but had drawn a blank in successive polls.

Himachal elections: BJP observers hold meeting with RSS leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at booth levels across India for &quot;victory in 2019 Lok Sabha elections&quot;. The Prime Minister was speaking at BJP&#39;s parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi

Union minister Ananth Kumar, also present in the meeting, said that the PM also called for promotion of youth in and outside party.

He also urged party leaders not to be affected by the opposition&#39;s &quot;disinformation&quot; campaign against the BJP, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters.

Booth level work, which is the root of a poll campaign, is the mother of an election victory, Kumar quoted Modi as saying.

Party sources said Modi turned emotional a few times as he recalled how the party organisation was built in Gujarat and young leaders were groomed by their seniors, including former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

All elected lawmakers and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-hails-gujarat-himachal-results-has-eyes-set-on-2019-27079">BJP chief Amit Shah</a> are present at the parliamentary party meet, which began at around 10 am on Wednesday.

One of the chief agendas to be picked up in this meeting is the chief ministerial faces of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-2017-see-how-gujarat-voted-27051">Gujarat</a> and Himachal.

The BJP managed to pull a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-set-to-form-government-in-himachal-27056">landslide victory in Himachal Pradesh</a>, but its chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal lost his Sujanpur constituency to Congress. State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti also lost his seat.

Their defeat has put a question mark on the face of the next chief minister.

Source told Zee News that Union minister JP Nadda and newly-elected BJP MLA Jairam Thakur are the frontrunners of Chief Minister&#39;s post.

Meanwhile in Gujarat, where the BJP managed to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gujarat-elections-2017-live-results-27014">retain power for a record sixth time</a>, is mulling a course correction after losing several seats to Congress.

The party leadership is reportedly considering a new face to replace the incumbent Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, despite his victory from the Rajkot West seat.

Among the names floating around are Textiles and Information &amp; Broadcasting (I&amp;B) Minister Smriti Irani and Union Minister of State for Road Transport &amp; Highways and Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya.

Irani, however, has denied being a contender for the CM&#39;s post.

One of the chief agendas to be picked up in this meeting is the chief ministerial faces of Gujarat and Himachal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at booth levels across India for "victory in 2019 Lok Sabha elections". The Prime Minister was speaking at BJP's parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi Union minister Ananth Kumar, also present in the meeting, said that the PM also called for promotion of youth in and outside party. He also urged party leaders not to be affected by the opposition's "disinformation" campaign against the BJP, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters. Booth level work, which is the root of a poll campaign, is the mother of an election victory, Kumar quoted Modi as saying. Party sources said Modi turned emotional a few times as he recalled how the party organisation was built in Gujarat and young leaders were groomed by their seniors, including former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. All elected lawmakers and BJP chief Amit Shah are present at the parliamentary party meet, which began at around 10 am on Wednesday. One of the chief agendas to be picked up in this meeting is the chief ministerial faces of Gujarat and Himachal. The BJP managed to pull a landslide victory in Himachal Pradesh, but its chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal lost his Sujanpur constituency to Congress. State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti also lost his seat. Their defeat has put a question mark on the face of the next chief minister. Source told Zee News that Union minister JP Nadda and newly-elected BJP MLA Jairam Thakur are the frontrunners of Chief Minister's post. Meanwhile in Gujarat, where the BJP managed to retain power for a record sixth time, is mulling a course correction after losing several seats to Congress. The party leadership is reportedly considering a new face to replace the incumbent Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, despite his victory from the Rajkot West seat. Among the names floating around are Textiles and Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Smriti Irani and Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya. Irani, however, has denied being a contender for the CM's post.

Strengthen BJP at grass root level for 2019 victory: PM at parliamentary party meeting

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to snatch power from the hands of Congress in Himachal Pradesh, but one of tall leaders in the state, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was not able to deliver a victory for his party.

Dhumal lost against Congress&#39; Rajinder Rana in Sujanpur, after he changed his traditional constituency of Hamirpur. He was made the chief ministerial face only nine days before the polling.

&quot;Mr Dhumal&#39;s loss is heartbreaking, but there was no infighting. BJP&#39;s parliamentary board will decide on the chief ministerial face,&quot; Mandi MP Ram Swarup Sharma told Zee News.

In Himachal Pradesh, Congress veteran and six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his son Vikramaditya Singh won from Arki and Shimla (Rural) respectively.

Himachal Pradesh has a tradition of changing the government in every election.

The BJP ousted the Congress in 1990 and the Congress avenged the defeat in 1993. The BJP formed the government with the help of Himachal Vikas Congress in 1998 and the Congress was back in power in 2003. The BJP made a comeback in 2007.

(With PTI inputs)

Dhumal lost against Congress' Rajinder Rana in Sujanpur, after he changed his traditional constituency of Hamirpur. He was made the chief ministerial face only nine days before the polling.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to snatch power from the hands of Congress in Himachal Pradesh, but one of tall leaders in the state, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was not able to deliver a victory for his party. Dhumal lost against Congress' Rajinder Rana in Sujanpur, after he changed his traditional constituency of Hamirpur. He was made the chief ministerial face only nine days before the polling. "Mr Dhumal's loss is heartbreaking, but there was no infighting. BJP's parliamentary board will decide on the chief ministerial face," Mandi MP Ram Swarup Sharma told Zee News. In Himachal Pradesh, Congress veteran and six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his son Vikramaditya Singh won from Arki and Shimla (Rural) respectively. Himachal Pradesh has a tradition of changing the government in every election. The BJP ousted the Congress in 1990 and the Congress avenged the defeat in 1993. The BJP formed the government with the help of Himachal Vikas Congress in 1998 and the Congress was back in power in 2003. The BJP made a comeback in 2007. (With PTI inputs)

Himachal Pradesh elections: Prem Kumar Dhumal loses, BJP to choose new CM face

At an age when most people are enjoying retirement, India&#39;s oldest chief minister Virbhadra Singh is on the campaign trail, one of a number of ageing men still clinging to power in the youthful country.

At 83 he is hoping to snare a seventh term at the helm of Himachal Pradesh when the mountainous north Indian state that he has ruled for years goes to the polls on Thursday.

Singh, a stalwart of the Congress Party that has held national power for much of independent India&#39;s history, is far from alone.

Around two-thirds of India&#39;s population is aged under 35, making it one of the youngest countries on earth.

But many of its top regional leaders are elderly products of a quasi-dynastic system of rule that took root in the twentieth century and now appears at odds with its youthful population.

Earlier this year the neighbouring state of Punjab, home to 28 million Indians, voted out its 89-year-old five-time chief minister Prakash Singh Badal.

His successor, Amarinder Singh, is the 75-year-old scion of a family that once ruled the princely state of Patiala, now part of Punjab.

Virbhadra Singh is himself descended from the royal family that ruled a part of Himachal Pradesh until Indian independence, and he admits his heritage has helped his political career.

&quot;The people respect me. They respect my family and lineage,&quot; he told AFP during a brief break from campaigning in the state, where campaign hoardings refer to him as Raja Sahib, a royal title.

Nistula Hebbar, political editor of The Hindu daily, said older candidates had a natural advantage because personal relationships were still hugely important in getting things done on the ground.

&quot;As a society, we are a gerontocracy that still worships the grey and considers its advice sagely. And this clearly reflects in our politics too,&quot; Hebbar told AFP.

&quot;Our state&#39;s poor record in delivery (of services) also ensures that the personal networks and relationships nurtured by politicians over a long time are still trusted more by the people over youth and the system.&quot;

Political patricide

Most of India&#39;s leaders do not have royal titles, but a large number are the products of political dynasties that have proved remarkably resilient.

At 94, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, five-time former chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, remains a key political player as leader of the opposition DMK party.

His 64-year-old son, M.K. Stalin, is positioning himself as the political heir, and appears to have met little popular resistance.

Meanwhile campaigning for elections in India&#39;s most populous state Uttar Pradesh was dominated by a bitter intergenerational power struggle earlier this year.

Akhilesh Yadav, 44, carried out a hostile takeover of the regional Samajwadi Party formed by his 77-year-old father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, a manoeuvre that some termed political patricide.

Rahul Gandhi, himself a member of India&#39;s most famous ruling dynasty, is reported to have tried to push for younger regional leaders after his Congress Party suffered a heavy defeat to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2014 national election.

But he was eventually forced to back down in the face of stiff internal resistance.

His 70-year-old mother Sonia remains party president despite persistent rumours of her imminent retirement.

&quot;Sadly, we don&#39;t believe in graceful retirement or riding into the sunset after a well-played inning,&quot; said veteran Indian journalist Kanchan Gupta.

&quot;Also linked to this is the fact that our politics is about patronising and favour dispensation. It is all about why I am voting for someone and what I can get out of it.&quot;

The views of voters at a rally for Singh in Paonta Sahib, an industrial town in Himachal Pradesh, appear to bear that out.

We back anyone he says as he is someone who stays reachable and gets our issues resolved even when other local officials don&#39;t listen,&quot; one told AFP.

At the end of a packed day, the octogenarian appeared tired, but he insisted he could still cope with the gruelling demands of the campaign trail.

Besides, at 73 his main challenger, Prem Kumar Dhumal of the nationally ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, is no spring chicken either.

&quot;I still campaign with all my seriousness and participate till the very last programme,&quot; Singh told AFP.

At an age when most people are enjoying retirement, India's oldest chief minister Virbhadra Singh is on the campaign trail, one of a number of ageing men still clinging to power in the youthful country. At 83 he is hoping to snare a seventh term at the helm of Himachal Pradesh when the mountainous north Indian state that he has ruled for years goes to the polls on Thursday. Singh, a stalwart of the Congress Party that has held national power for much of independent India's history, is far from alone. Around two-thirds of India's population is aged under 35, making it one of the youngest countries on earth. But many of its top regional leaders are elderly products of a quasi-dynastic system of rule that took root in the twentieth century and now appears at odds with its youthful population. Earlier this year the neighbouring state of Punjab, home to 28 million Indians, voted out its 89-year-old five-time chief minister Prakash Singh Badal. His successor, Amarinder Singh, is the 75-year-old scion of a family that once ruled the princely state of Patiala, now part of Punjab. Virbhadra Singh is himself descended from the royal family that ruled a part of Himachal Pradesh until Indian independence, and he admits his heritage has helped his political career. "The people respect me. They respect my family and lineage," he told AFP during a brief break from campaigning in the state, where campaign hoardings refer to him as Raja Sahib, a royal title. Nistula Hebbar, political editor of The Hindu daily, said older candidates had a natural advantage because personal relationships were still hugely important in getting things done on the ground. "As a society, we are a gerontocracy that still worships the grey and considers its advice sagely. And this clearly reflects in our politics too," Hebbar told AFP. "Our state's poor record in delivery (of services) also ensures that the personal networks and relationships nurtured by politicians over a long time are still trusted more by the people over youth and the system." Political patricide Most of India's leaders do not have royal titles, but a large number are the products of political dynasties that have proved remarkably resilient. At 94, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, five-time former chief minister of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, remains a key political player as leader of the opposition DMK party. His 64-year-old son, M.K. Stalin, is positioning himself as the political heir, and appears to have met little popular resistance. Meanwhile campaigning for elections in India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh was dominated by a bitter intergenerational power struggle earlier this year. Akhilesh Yadav, 44, carried out a hostile takeover of the regional Samajwadi Party formed by his 77-year-old father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, a manoeuvre that some termed political patricide. Rahul Gandhi, himself a member of India's most famous ruling dynasty, is reported to have tried to push for younger regional leaders after his Congress Party suffered a heavy defeat to the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2014 national election. But he was eventually forced to back down in the face of stiff internal resistance. His 70-year-old mother Sonia remains party president despite persistent rumours of her imminent retirement. "Sadly, we don't believe in graceful retirement or riding into the sunset after a well-played inning," said veteran Indian journalist Kanchan Gupta. "Also linked to this is the fact that our politics is about patronising and favour dispensation. It is all about why I am voting for someone and what I can get out of it." The views of voters at a rally for Singh in Paonta Sahib, an industrial town in Himachal Pradesh, appear to bear that out. We back anyone he says as he is someone who stays reachable and gets our issues resolved even when other local officials don't listen," one told AFP. At the end of a packed day, the octogenarian appeared tired, but he insisted he could still cope with the gruelling demands of the campaign trail. Besides, at 73 his main challenger, Prem Kumar Dhumal of the nationally ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, is no spring chicken either. "I still campaign with all my seriousness and participate till the very last programme," Singh told AFP.

Himachal election: India's oldest CM, Virbhadra Singh, looks for 7th term

Polling got underway in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday morning with&nbsp;reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines(EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trails(VVAPTs) in&nbsp;several places.

At least 58 EVMs and 102 VVPATs were replaced during polling and 167 EVMs and 219 VVPATs had to be replaced during mock polls in the state. In fact,&nbsp;polling could not be held in Gondla polling booth in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district.

During actual polling, 31 ballot&nbsp;units and 27 control units of EVMs malfunctioned and had to be replaced while in mock polls, 101 ballot&nbsp;units and 66 control units of EVMs malfunctioned and had to be replaced.

Most EVM &amp; VVPAT failures were reported in Una, followed by Mandi, Kangra, Solan &amp; Shimla.&nbsp;

64.8 per cent&nbsp;polling was recorded until 4 pm in Himachal Pradesh, reports said.&nbsp;

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur.

Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Shimla district recorded 36 per cent&nbsp;voting which was the&nbsp;highest till 1 pm, while the largest district Kangra recorded 22 per cent voting.&nbsp;Kinnaur recorded 35 per cent polling.

Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Solan and Sirmaur districts recorded 26 per cent, 29 per cent, 32 per cent, 35 per cent and 30 per cent polling till noon while Theog in Shimla recorded the highest polling at 42 per cent.

Polling has picked since noon.

The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

&nbsp;

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur respectively.

Polling got underway in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday morning with reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines(EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trails(VVAPTs) in several places. At least 58 EVMs and 102 VVPATs were replaced during polling and 167 EVMs and 219 VVPATs had to be replaced during mock polls in the state. In fact, polling could not be held in Gondla polling booth in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district. During actual polling, 31 ballot units and 27 control units of EVMs malfunctioned and had to be replaced while in mock polls, 101 ballot units and 66 control units of EVMs malfunctioned and had to be replaced. Most EVM & VVPAT failures were reported in Una, followed by Mandi, Kangra, Solan & Shimla. 64.8 per cent polling was recorded until 4 pm in Himachal Pradesh, reports said. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast their votes at Rampur and Samirpur. Shyam Sharan Negi (101), the first voter of India, cast his vote for the 15th time in assembly polls at Kalpa in Kinnaur district. Shimla district recorded 36 per cent voting which was the highest till 1 pm, while the largest district Kangra recorded 22 per cent voting. Kinnaur recorded 35 per cent polling. Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Solan and Sirmaur districts recorded 26 per cent, 29 per cent, 32 per cent, 35 per cent and 30 per cent polling till noon while Theog in Shimla recorded the highest polling at 42 per cent. Polling has picked since noon. The ruling Congress led by the chief minister and the BJP led with former chief minister Dhumal are contesting all 68 seats while the BSP is contesting 42 seats, followed by the CPI(M) 14, Swabhiman Party and Lok Gathbandhan Party six each and the CPI-3.

Multiple EVM, VVPAT failures reported in Himachal Pradesh polls

A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Prem Kumar Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections, the Congress said that the party took the decision in compulsion.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the decision will not make any difference as their party is already strong in Himachal.

&quot;I don&#39;t think this is going to make any difference. This is a political compulsion. They realised that it is a very difficult contest for BJP and Congress party is strong on the ground. There is internal conflict within the BJP which prevented them from declaring Dhumal as their CM face. Now they have done it because of the compulsion after Dhumal expressed his unhappiness in public. Dhumal has been a chief minister in the past and has been a miserable failure. He has failed to deliver,&quot; he said.

The BJP on Tuesday named Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections.

While addressing a rally here, the BJP president Amit Shah said, &quot;The BJP will fight Himachal Pradesh assembly elections under the leadership of Prem Kumar Dhumal. I want to tell you Virbhadra Singh ji (Himachal CM) that former CM and current leader of Opposition Dhumal ji will become chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after December 18.&quot;

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on November 9, 2017, and the results will be declared on December 18.

Dhumal has twice been the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh from March 1998 to March 2003 and again from 1 January 2008 to 25 December 2012.

Presently, he holds the designation of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.&nbsp;

The BJP on Tuesday named Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections.

A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Prem Kumar Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections, the Congress said that the party took the decision in compulsion. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the decision will not make any difference as their party is already strong in Himachal. "I don't think this is going to make any difference. This is a political compulsion. They realised that it is a very difficult contest for BJP and Congress party is strong on the ground. There is internal conflict within the BJP which prevented them from declaring Dhumal as their CM face. Now they have done it because of the compulsion after Dhumal expressed his unhappiness in public. Dhumal has been a chief minister in the past and has been a miserable failure. He has failed to deliver," he said. The BJP on Tuesday named Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh elections. While addressing a rally here, the BJP president Amit Shah said, "The BJP will fight Himachal Pradesh assembly elections under the leadership of Prem Kumar Dhumal. I want to tell you Virbhadra Singh ji (Himachal CM) that former CM and current leader of Opposition Dhumal ji will become chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after December 18." The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on November 9, 2017, and the results will be declared on December 18. Dhumal has twice been the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh from March 1998 to March 2003 and again from 1 January 2008 to 25 December 2012. Presently, he holds the designation of Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

Congress says BJP named Dhumal its CM face out of compulsion

The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) today announced former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal as its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter that Mr Dhumal has rich administrative experience and will make a &quot;wonderful CM&quot; once again.

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Dhumal Ji is among our senior most leaders with rich administrative experience in Himachal. He will once again make a wonderful CM <a href="https://twitter.com/DhumalHP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DhumalHP</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cogn24lIKn">https://t.co/Cogn24lIKn</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/925349000156397570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He added that BJP&#39;s focus was on making Himachal Pradesh &quot;corruption-free&quot;.

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BJP&rsquo;s focus is politics of development. We want to make Himachal corruption-free &amp; initiate record development initiatives in the state.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/925349530723278848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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BJP President Amit Shah, who made the announcement, said Prem Kumar Dhumal would be the chief minister after December 18.

&quot;Right now Dhumal ji is a former chief minister and an Opposition leader and after December 18, he is going to become the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh,&quot; Amit Shah said at a rally in Solan.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> BJP Chief Amit Shah says, after 18 Dec PK Dhumal will be the next chief minister of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HimachalPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HimachalPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/KNCZwLbJWL">pic.twitter.com/KNCZwLbJWL</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925319774904520704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(Also Read - <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-should-have-been-first-recipient-of-bharat-ratna-amit-shah-23215">Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel should have been first recipient of Bharat Ratna: Amit Shah at Himachal election rally</a>)

Mr Dhumal, 73, has spearheaded the BJP&nbsp;campaign in Himachal Pradesh&nbsp;since the 1998 assembly polls. He led the party&nbsp;to victory in 1998 and 2007 but lost in 2003 and 2012.

The polling&nbsp;for the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh Assembly will take place on November 9. Results will be declared on December 18.

The BJP is hopeful of getting a clear majority and defeating the incumbent Congress government in the hill state.

The Congress&nbsp;has already projected Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as the campaign committee chief.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

BJP President Amit Shah, who made the announcement, said Prem Kumar Dhumal would be the chief minister after December 18

The Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) today announced former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal as its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter that Mr Dhumal has rich administrative experience and will make a "wonderful CM" once again. Dhumal Ji is among our senior most leaders with rich administrative experience in Himachal. He will once again make a wonderful CM @DhumalHP https://t.co/Cogn24lIKn — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2017 × He added that BJP's focus was on making Himachal Pradesh "corruption-free". BJP’s focus is politics of development. We want to make Himachal corruption-free & initiate record development initiatives in the state. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2017 × BJP President Amit Shah, who made the announcement, said Prem Kumar Dhumal would be the chief minister after December 18. "Right now Dhumal ji is a former chief minister and an Opposition leader and after December 18, he is going to become the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh," Amit Shah said at a rally in Solan. #WATCH BJP Chief Amit Shah says, after 18 Dec PK Dhumal will be the next chief minister of #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/KNCZwLbJWL — ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2017 × (Also Read - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel should have been first recipient of Bharat Ratna: Amit Shah at Himachal election rally) Mr Dhumal, 73, has spearheaded the BJP campaign in Himachal Pradesh since the 1998 assembly polls. He led the party to victory in 1998 and 2007 but lost in 2003 and 2012. The polling for the 68-seat Himachal Pradesh Assembly will take place on November 9. Results will be declared on December 18. The BJP is hopeful of getting a clear majority and defeating the incumbent Congress government in the hill state. The Congress has already projected Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as the campaign committee chief. (With inputs from PTI, ANI)

Himachal Pradesh polls: BJP announces Prem Kumar Dhumal as party's chief ministerial candidate