<p>In the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, the ruling BJP and Congress are expected to have a close contest.</p>.<p>The rebel factor is wearing down both the BJP and the opposition Congress, with top leaders of both camps working overtime to blunt the impact of dissent.</p>.<p>Polling in Himachal Pradesh was held on November 12 and counting will be taken up on December 8. Here are the two key seats to watch.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/cong-banks-on-royals-in-himachal-pradesh-polls-bjp-says-no-place-for-rajas-and-ranis-in-democracy-1159096.html"><strong>Also read: Cong banks on 'royals' in Himachal Pradesh polls, BJP says no place for 'rajas and ranis' in democracy</strong></a></p>.<p><strong>Kangra</strong></p>.<p>This is considered to be the most politically significant district in the state as Kangra plays a crucial role in the formation of the government in Himachal Pradesh.</p>.<p>District Kangra includes 15 constituencies - Dharamshala, Kangra, Shahpur, Nagrota, Palampur, Baijnath, Sullah, Jaisinghpur, Dehra, Jawalamukhi, Jaswan-Kotla, Nurpur, Indora, Jawali and Fatehpur.</p>.<p>This district holds major significance as in 2017, BJP won 11 of the 15 seats and ended up winning the polls with a clear majority of 44 seats in the 68-member Assembly. With over 13 lakh voters in the 15 constituencies, Rajputs (34 per cent) make the majority number of voters, followed by OBC (32 per cent), SC/ST (20 per cent) and Brahmins (18 per cent).</p>.<p><strong>Mandi</strong></p>.<p>This is the second most important seat in the state. The home turf of Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Mandi will hold extra significance for the BJP this year as the party had lost this seat to the Congress in the parliamentary bypoll in 2021.</p>.<p>Mandi district includes 10 constituencies, and the BJP won all of those in the 2017 election.</p>.<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
<p>In the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, the ruling BJP and Congress are expected to have a close contest.</p>.<p>The rebel factor is wearing down both the BJP and the opposition Congress, with top leaders of both camps working overtime to blunt the impact of dissent.</p>.<p>Polling in Himachal Pradesh was held on November 12 and counting will be taken up on December 8. Here are the two key seats to watch.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/cong-banks-on-royals-in-himachal-pradesh-polls-bjp-says-no-place-for-rajas-and-ranis-in-democracy-1159096.html"><strong>Also read: Cong banks on 'royals' in Himachal Pradesh polls, BJP says no place for 'rajas and ranis' in democracy</strong></a></p>.<p><strong>Kangra</strong></p>.<p>This is considered to be the most politically significant district in the state as Kangra plays a crucial role in the formation of the government in Himachal Pradesh.</p>.<p>District Kangra includes 15 constituencies - Dharamshala, Kangra, Shahpur, Nagrota, Palampur, Baijnath, Sullah, Jaisinghpur, Dehra, Jawalamukhi, Jaswan-Kotla, Nurpur, Indora, Jawali and Fatehpur.</p>.<p>This district holds major significance as in 2017, BJP won 11 of the 15 seats and ended up winning the polls with a clear majority of 44 seats in the 68-member Assembly. With over 13 lakh voters in the 15 constituencies, Rajputs (34 per cent) make the majority number of voters, followed by OBC (32 per cent), SC/ST (20 per cent) and Brahmins (18 per cent).</p>.<p><strong>Mandi</strong></p>.<p>This is the second most important seat in the state. The home turf of Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Mandi will hold extra significance for the BJP this year as the party had lost this seat to the Congress in the parliamentary bypoll in 2021.</p>.<p>Mandi district includes 10 constituencies, and the BJP won all of those in the 2017 election.</p>.<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
