Kamlesh Thakur, the wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, emerged victorious in the Dehra Assembly bypoll, defeating the BJP candidate by a margin of 9,399 votes. The win is seen as a boost to Sukhu's prestige within his party, as well as a response to questions about his government's stability following cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. The campaign saw Kamlesh highlighting her ties to the Dehra constituency and asking for votes from "brothers and sisters" to bring a CM office to the area. Her main opponent, previously the Independent MLA for Dehra, eventually threw his support behind her.
The recent bypoll victory of Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has sent ripples through the state's political landscape. Thakur's win in the Dehra Assembly constituency has significant implications for both Sukhu and the balance of power within the state.
The Dehra Assembly bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of sitting MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, who had won the seat as an Independent in the 2017 state elections. Parmar later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but his subsequent expulsion from the party paved the way for Thakur's candidature.
Thakur's campaign focused heavily on her local ties to Dehra and her promise to bring a Chief Minister's office to the constituency. She appealed to voters to support her as a way of elevating the region's status and ensuring its development.
Her main opponent was Ravi Thakur, the previous BJP candidate, who had initially been seen as the frontrunner. However, Ravi Thakur eventually withdrew his candidature and threw his support behind Kamlesh Thakur. This unexpected move was seen as a significant setback for the BJP's hopes of retaining the seat.
In a decisive victory, Kamlesh Thakur defeated her nearest rival by a margin of 9,399 votes. Her triumph is a major boost for Sukhu, who had faced some criticism within his own party following the recent Rajya Sabha elections. The win strengthens Sukhu's position and sends a clear message of support from the people of Dehra.
The Dehra bypoll victory has several important implications:
1. Who is Kamlesh Thakur? Kamlesh Thakur is the wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and a former teacher.
2. What was the margin of her victory? Kamlesh Thakur defeated her nearest rival by a margin of 9,399 votes.
3. Why was the Dehra Assembly bypoll held? The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of sitting MLA Vipin Singh Parmar.
4. What is the significance of Kamlesh Thakur's victory? Her victory boosts the prestige of Chief Minister Sukhu, challenges BJP dominance in the region, and promises regional development.
5. Is Kamlesh Thakur the first woman to be elected to the Himachal Pradesh Assembly? No, she is the second woman to be elected to the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.
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