New Delhi: The political picture of Himachal Pradesh has heated in the last few days, and further after the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday announced the polling dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, with vote-counting scheduled to be held on May 23.

Where on one hand Congress is making efforts to get back on its feet in the state, with party President Rahul Gandhi addressing various rallies in an attempt to woo the voters, BJP is ensuing that it maintains its position after an outstanding performance in the previous elections.

The voters had showered votes to Bharatiya Janta Party in 2014 Lok Sabha elections where all 4 seats were swept by BJP, leaving none for Congress.

2014 Lok Sabha elections in Himachal:

The polls were held for 4 seats in the state. The major two contenders in the state were Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The voting process was held in a single phase on 7 May 2014, where all 4 seats were bagged by BJP MPs namely Ram Swaroop Sharma, Shanta Kumar, Anurag Singh Thakur and Virender Kashyap.

2009 Lok Sabha elections:

The Bharataiya Janta Party won 3 out of 4 seats in these elections; on the other hand one seat was bagged by Congress candidate – Vir Bhadra Singh. BJP leaders who won the polls were – Rajan Sushant, who won from Kangra, Anurag Singh Thakur, who won from Hamirpur and Virender Kashyap won from Shimla.

2004 Lok Sabha polls:

Indian National Congress led UPA won 3 out of 4 seats in 2004 Lok Sabha elections, which was 51.81% of voter share whereas; BJP led NDA could bag only one seat.