AMN
The BJP has retained power in Gujarat for the 6th time in a row and swept the polls in Himachal Pradesh finishing just short of two-third majority.
The party romped home again in Gujarat by winning 99 seats, seven seats more than the mark of absolute majority in the 182-member House. Congress won 77 seats and others 6.
In Himachal Pradesh, BJP wrested power from Congress by winning 44 seats, two seats short of two-third majority, in the 68 member House. The Congress won 21 and others three.
The prominent winners in Gujarat, include Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Education Minister Bhupendarsinh Chudasama and Forest Minister Ganapat Vasava. However, as many as six ministers of the Rupani government were defeated in the elections.
They include Shankarbhai Chaudhary, Atmaram Parmar, Chimanbhai Sapariya, Jashabhai Barad and Keshaji Thakor. Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora also lost.
Congress has won all the five seats in Amreli and Gir Somnath district. Senior Congress leader Paresh Dhanani has retained the Amreli seat.
Congress has won Bapunagar seat in Ahmedabad, a BJP bastion. However, Congress received major setback as three prominent leaders of the party Shaktisinh Gohil, Arjun Modhwadiya and Siddharth Patel were defeated in the polls.
In Himachal Pradesh, Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has won, while former BJP Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has lost.