Himachal Pradesh:Two Party Competition in a Small State

The socio-economic factor coupled with historical antecedents have all along shaped politics in Himachal Pradesh, particularly its electoral politics. The most significant impact of these factors has been the emergence of clear cut two party system in the state since 1967. The contest for power in this state is only between the Congress and the BJP with the former drawing its support base from old areas (upper areas of Himachal) and the latter from the new areas (lower areas). There is no regional party in the state and third parties if any have only a nominal existence. It is only in the recent years that a regional outfit, the HVC-Himachal Vikas Congress founded by SukhRam, former union communication minister has come to play a balancing role. Given the fact that SukhRam is a former powerful leader of Congress in the State and was unceremoniously expelled from the Congress in the wake of telecom scam, the congress stands to lose definitely more than the BJP. However, the split in Himachal Vikas Congress in 2000 has seriously affected its bargaining power but neither faction will find it easy to join hands with the Congress.