In BJP's epic triumph in Himachal, veteran Prem Kumar Dhumal hunts for solace

A two-time former Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal lost to Rajender Rana - a man Dhumal had mentored off sorts and who had won from Sujanpur as an independent but sided with Congress for 2017 state assembly elections.

New Delhi: The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) rode to a commanding win in Himachal Pradesh on Monday - seizing power from Virbhadra Singh's Congress. While Virbhadra Singh may have won from Arki in what was his final electoral battle, BJP's CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal crashed to a shocking - and embarrassing - defeat in Sujanpur.

Dhumal is now searching for consolation in BJP's otherwise almost spotless win.

A veteran leader of the party in the state, Dhumal shifted from Hamirpur to Sujanpur assembly constituency for the 2017 state elections and faced his old protege-turned-bete noir Rajender Rana of Congress. Sujanpur is Rana's home turf and he put in his all to put up a stiff challenge and script a win for himself. His opponent though said what matters is the overall result. "My personal loss is not of much importance. The gain that victory has brought to state BJP is important," said Dhumal. "I was not expecting to lose, will do an analysis."

BJP had named two-time CM Dhumal as its chief-ministerial candidate on October 31. The decision was announced by party chief Amit Shah himself who had said a senior leader like Dhumal would further help in the party's campaign in the state. Instead, it was this very senior leader - 73 years of age to be precise - that has now put the party in a dilemma despite the win.

BJP had named Dhumal as its chief-ministerial candidate but following his defeat but may now have to name a new leader to head the state government. And that won't be simple. 

State BJP chief Satpal Satti was humiliated in Una by Satpal Singh Razda of Congress. Dhumal's confidants Ravinder Ravi, Gulab Singh and Randhir Sharma, all outgoing legislators, also lost. Reports suggest that BJP party high command will take a call shortly on who will head the new government in the state.