Current CM of Himachal Pradesh: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (INC)

Leader of opposition: Jai Ram Thakur (BJP)

Communist Party of India (Marxist) : Rakesh Singha

Himachal Pradesh’s politics are indeed heavily influenced by regional divides, which have shaped the voting patterns and political dynamics of the state. The Indian National Congress (INC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the two dominant parties, often alternating power between them.

The state’s division into Upper and Lower Himachal reflects distinct political and cultural differences:

1. Upper Himachal: This region includes districts like Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Solan, Kinnaur, and parts of Mandi and Chamba. The area is more influenced by traditional and regional issues, with a focus on infrastructure development, tourism, and environmental concerns. The INC often has a stronghold in this region, partly due to its historical ties and focus on social welfare programs.
2. Lower Himachal: Comprising Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, and the lower region of Mandi, this region tends to have a more diverse electorate with a mix of urban and rural populations. The BJP has been more successful here, particularly in the post-1990s era, capitalizing on its focus on national issues, development, and strong leadership.

The reorganization of the state in 1966 added a layer of complexity, as the newly merged areas brought in different demographic and political preferences, further influencing the voting patterns between the older regions of Himachal and the areas integrated from Punjab.

Lok Sabha:

Vidhan Sabha:

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly currently consists of 68 seats, which are directly elected from single-seat constituencies. There were no elections held from 1952 to 1967 due to the enactment of the States Reorganisation Act of 1956, which designated Himachal Pradesh as a Union Territory under the direct control of the President of India, leading to the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. This situation changed in 1963 with the passage of the Government of Union Territories Act, which restored the Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister positions. Elections were held again in 1967, following the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, which added new territories to Himachal Pradesh. The state was formally recognized as a full-fledged state (the 18th of the Union) with the passage of The State of Himachal Pradesh Act in 1970.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, the Indian National Congress (INC) dominated the state assembly, similar to its influence nationwide. The first Chief Minister of the state was Yashwant Singh Parmar, who played a crucial role in the region’s early post-Independence development and is celebrated as “The Founder of Himachal Pradesh.” After differences with party leaders, Parmar resigned in 1977 at the age of 71. Thakur Ram Lal then served as the second Chief Minister until the 1977 elections. The 1977 elections saw a significant shift as the Janata Party, capitalizing on widespread dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, won a landslide victory, with Shanta Kumar becoming the third Chief Minister. His term was short-lived, lasting only three years, due to party defections. In February 1980, the Congress party regained power with Ram Lal returning as Chief Minister. However, his administration faced scandals and political turmoil, leading to his resignation in 1983, a year after narrowly winning re-election. He was succeeded by fellow Congress leader Virbhadra Singh. Since 1985, no single party has managed to retain control of the Legislative Assembly, with power alternating between the BJP and INC every few years.

Political Parties in Himachal Pradesh:

Indian National Congress (INC)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM)

Bahujan Samaj Part (BSP)