Himachal Pradesh elections: Optimism on either side

SHIMLA: Voting in Himachal Pradesh took place smoothly on a clear day on Saturday, even as contestants and leaders claimed victories for their respective parties.
In Kangra, BJP leader and former chief minister Shanta Kumar cast his vote in Palampur. He said though competition was tough, BJP had an edge over rival Congress. "The verbal war ended yesterday and the vote war is today.It's a tough competition, but the BJP has an edge and we will have to wait for the final results for the true picture to emerge," he said. "The number of contestants in this election is high and there are too many rebels also. So, one doesn't know which way the results would go, especially at seats known for narrow wins and losses," added Kumar.
In Una, Congress leader and the LoP in the outgoing legislative assembly, Mukesh Agnihotri, cast his vote with his wife and daughter in Haroli constituency. After casting his vote, Agnihotri took a dig at BJP's calls to people to change the tradition of never voting back to power the incumbent party. "Today, the day has come when the people will change the BJP government and choose the Congress party. The Congress government would be the government of the people," said Agnihotri.
In Bilaspur, BJP president J P Nadda cast his vote in Vijaypur and said he saw a lot of enthusiasm among people, who had come out to vote in large numbers. "I am fortunate that I got an opportunity to visit the primary school of my village to cast my vote. The people of this state have decided to change the tradition of changing the government every five years," he said. "These elections were fought under the leadership of Jai Ram Thakur and he would again be the chief minister of the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh," he added. In Hamirpur, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal cast his vote with family members, including his son and Union minister Anurag Thakur, in Samirpur village.
Congress leader Sukhwinder Sukhu cast his vote in his home constituency of Nadaun in Hamirpur and said a good turnout was a sign of change. "There is great enthusiasm among people of the state who have come out in huge numbers to exercise their franchise. A good turnout is definitely a sign of change," said Sukhu.
A number of aged people and first-time voters also came out to the polling booths to exercise their democratic right. Congress sitting MLA Asha Kumari cast her vote in Dalhousie, where she is in direct contest with BJP. The Dalhousie seat under Chamba district is set to witness a tough fight between the two parties, with the Aam Aadmi Party trying to leave a mark in the elections. Congress leader Anand Sharma, who cast his vote too, said the people of Himachal Pradesh were in a mood to change the government. "There's a mood for change. Vast sections of society suffered, especially government employees, youth are despondent because of unemployment, women and young people who'll serve after Agnipath," he added.
Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh cast his vote on Saturday along with his mother and Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Pratibha Singh. He said the BJP will lose in the assembly election like it did in the bypolls last year. "Those were the semi-finals; this is the final. They will lose these elections too. Congress will form a government here with majority, he said.
Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party chief Suresh Kashyap cast his vote in Pachhad seat of Sirmaur district.