With Himachal Pradesh going to polls today, these parties will be hoping for people to vote for them:
Main competitorsBJP: The BJP, with its campaign bolstered by senior leaders from the Centre, is looking for a 2nd consecutive term, which will be a first if it happens this time.
Congress: Having swept four bypolls in the state in November 2021, Cong will be hoping for a similar performance this year. However, it has been plagued by infighting and lack of campaigning by central leaders.
AAP: Having won the assembly elections in Punjab earlier this year, AAP is looking to made inroads into the hill state this year. The party's campaign, however, has faded in comparison to its two rivals.
Rebels & independents: Rebellions have hit the BJP and the Congress. They are expected to play a key role in many seats and could damage either outfit.
Key seatsSeraj: CM Jai Ram Thakur is contesting from the seat. He is facing Chetram Thakur of Congress) and Gita Nand Thakur of AAP.
Sujanpur: Former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was BJP's CM face last time but lost the election, is not contesting this time. BJP's Captain Ranjeet Singh is faing serving Cong MLA Rajinder Singh Rana here.
Shimla Rural: Former CM late Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh is the Cong candidare here. Ravi Mehta of BJP and Prem Thakur of AAP are the contestants here.
Mandi: Union minister late Sukh Ram's son Anil Sharma of BJP is contesting from the seat against Champa Thakur of Congress and Shyam Lal of AAP.
Nadaun: Himachal Congress's campaign committee chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is facing BJP's Vijay Kumar on the seat. Sukhu would be hoping to get re-elected this year.
Haroli: The leader of opposition in the outgoing Himachal Pradesh legslative assembly, Congress's Mukesh Agnihotri, is up against Ramkumar of BJP Ravinder Pal Singh Mann of AAP.