Bureau
Shimla: In Himachal Pradesh, Congress has taken a lead over the BJP, indicating a much-needed win for the deflated party. Independent candidates are key to the race as they may foil attempts of any one party to reach the majority. The BJP is looking to break the state’s anti-incumbency tradition. It was a battle between tradition and ambition. Traditionally, Himachal Pradesh has never repeated a government in power in the last 37 years. The pragmatic Himachali voter has always thought it best not to let any party get too comfortable in the seat. Even in the run-up to these elections, this sentiment was evident on the ground – “Inhein dekh liya, ab Congress ko chance dete hain (We have seen them, now let’s see the others”). But this time, equally strong was the BJP’s call for changing the “riwaaz (tradition)”.