The Manali Assembly Constituency has Govind Singh Thakur of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bhuvaneswar Gaur from the Indian National Congress (INC) and Anurag Prarthi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for this year’s Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections. 

For decades, Himachal Pradesh has alternated between BJP and Congress governments. The state’s rulers have a long history of never serving more than two terms in power. The AAP’s entry into the traditionally direct contest between Congress and the BJP is also predicted to soften the BJP’s influence.

Also Read: Re-elect BJP in Himachal Pradesh for development to continue: Anurag Thakur

The BJP had won 44 of Himachal’s 68 assembly constituencies last time and the Congress had won 21. The CPI(M) had won one seat. A party needs to win 35 seats for a majority to form the government in the state.

In 2017, Govind Singh Thakur of the BJP  won the seat by defeating his closest rival Hari Chand Sharma of the INC with a margin of 3,005 votes. Jit Ram of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and independent candidates Gajender Thakur also contested the 2017 election. 

Manali is one of the 68 assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh. Manali falls under the Kullu district and Mandi Lok Sabha Constituency. Manali has more than 73,000 eligible voters. 

In 2012, Govind Singh Thakur of BJP defeated Bhuvneshwar Gaur of INC by 3,198 votes. Bir Chand of Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP), Jeet Ram of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Budh Ram of India Justice Party (IJP) and an independent candidate like Dharam Vir Dhami also contested the HP Assembly Elections in 2012. 

Himachal Pradesh votes in a single round on November 12. Results will be announced on December 8. Elections to the Gujarat assembly are also expected to be held in December this year. 

Quick facts about the Manali Assembly seat  

Name of the assembly constituency, district: Manali, Kullu district

Polling date: November 12, 2022

Sitting MLA, party: Govind Singh Thakur, BJP

Key candidates, party in 2022: Govind Singh Thakur (BJP), Anurag Prarthi  (AAP), Bhuvneshwar Gaur (INC)

Winning candidate, party in 2017:  Govind Singh Thakur, BJP

Runner-up name, party 2017: Hari Chand Sharma, INC

Winning margin in 2017: 3,005

Top 3 candidates 2017: Govind Singh Thakur (BJP), Hari Chand Sharma (INC), Gajender Thakur (Independent)

Top 3 candidates 2012:  Bhuvneshwar Gaur (INC), Dharam Vir Dhami (Independent), Govind Singh Thakur (BJP)

Lok Sabha constituency: Mandi