Congress registers thumping victory in Himachal Pradesh bypolls

In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress retained Fatehpur and Arki and posted a win in Jubbal-Kotkha. It also bagged the Lok Sabha seat of Mandi.

The party hailed it as a straight victory in contests against the BJP.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala tweeted: "BJP has lost 2 out of 3 Lok Sabha seats. In Assemblies, BJP has lost at most places in direct contest with INC. HP, Raj., Karnataka & Maharashtra have witnessed it. Modi ji, Shed arrogance! Repeal 3 Black Laws! Stop Petrol-Diesel-Gas Loot! Disdain for people's pain is harmful".

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has credited the party workers for its performance in the bye-elections, specially in Himachal Pradesh, where it won all four seats, and urged them to continue fighting "hate" without fear.

"Every victory for the Congress is a victory of our party worker. Keep fighting hate. No fear!" tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

The Opposition Congress in Himachal Pradesh won three Assembly constituencies and one Parliamentary seat, giving a major setback to the ruling BJP ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls.

The party's big gain was the state's Jubbal-Kotkhai, which was held by the BJP.

The seat fell to Congress after the BJP's last-minute move to withhold a ticket from Chetan Singh Bragta, the son of sitting MLA Narinder Singh Bragta whose death made the election necessary.

However, in the North Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the party drew a blank.