Uttarakhand, Goa Elections 2022: 'BJP will definitely win 22+ seats,' says Goa CM Sawant

"I thank all the people of Goa from the bottom of my heart for the overwhelming response for today's election. I thank all the Karyakartas for the hard work in the election process," Pramod Sawatned tweeted.

He added, "I thank the @BJP4India @BJP4Goa leaders & Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for all the support and guidance for the #GoaElection2022. With blessings and support of the people, BJP will definitely win 22+ seats in 22."

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sawant claimed the BJP will win more than 22 seats in the 40-member Assembly and said he will continue to hold the top post if his party forms the next government in the coastal state.

After casting his vote at a booth in Sankhalim, Sawant said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him in the morning over the phone and conveyed his best wishes for the Assembly polls.

The prime minister called me over the phone at around 7 am to convey his best wishes to me and all BJP workers for the polling day, and gave his blessings, Sawant told PTI.

Over 62% polling was recorded in Uttarakhand where voting to 70 assembly seats spread over 13 districts concluded peacefully on Monday, officials said.

The polling percentage in the 2017 assembly elections in the state was 65.56 per cent.

"Polling was held peacefully at the 11,697 polling booths across the state with 62.5 per cent of the electorate casting their votes till the close of polls," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Saujanya said at a press conference.

Polling came to an end at 6 pm.

Goa achieved 78.94% voting. The highest voter turnout was recorded in the Sanquelim constituency at 89.64%. North Goa has registered a maximum turnout of 79% than South Goa at 78%. In today's polling 14 EVM's and 8 ballet were replaced: Goa Chief Electoral Officer Kunal

The polling has concluded for all 70 seats in Uttarakhand. According to Election Commission's Voter turnout application, 59.51% voter turnout has been recorded. At 68.37.64%, Haridwar has recorded the highest voter turnout for any constituency in the state so far. The final voter turnout is likely to be higher as data from some polling stations take time.

The polling has concluded for all 40 seats in Goa. According to Election Commission's Voter turnout application, 78.94% voter turnout has been recorded. The voting percentage in North Goa and South Goa stands at 79.84% and 78.15% respectively.  At 89.64%, Sanquelim has recorded the highest voter turnout for any constituency in the state so far. The final voter turnout is likely to be higher as data from some polling stations take time.

Goa Chief Electoral Officer IAS Kunal said that the polling was successfully conducted for all 40 assembly seats in Goa./
 

Polling was conducted peacefully in 36,823 Polling Stations spread across 165 Assembly Constituencies today, in the states of Uttarakhand, Goa and for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission said.

The voter turnout reported by 5 pm is 75.29% In Goa, 59.37% In Uttarakhand and 60.44% In Uttar Pradesh.

Nearly 2.95 crore General Electors including over 5 lakh first-time electors, spread across 36,823 Polling Stations were registered to exercise their franchise across 165 ACs in the three states

Webcasting arrangements were put in place for all 1722 polling stations in Goa, 5828 Polling Stations in Uttarakhand and 11,448 polling stations for the second phase in Uttar Pradesh.

There were a total of 1,519 candidates contesting in this phase across Goa, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh which included 158 women candidates.

The polling for assembly constituencies in Uttarakhand and Goa concluded on Monday at 6 pm. The results will be announced on March 10.

A 100-year-old woman was among the voters who turned up at Booth Number 47 in Kotdwar to exercise their franchise as Uttarakhand went to polls on Monday.

I am 100 years old. I have voted in all the elections since I attained the age of voting. I like to vote, Vishweshwari Devi Naudiyal told reporters even as she stretched her voting finger to show the indelible ink mark.

Clad in a yellow saree, Naudiyal walked about 200 metres from her house to the polling booth with some help from her great-grandchildren. 

We advised her not to venture out if she was not too keen. But she insisted otherwise, one of her great-grandsons said. 

A similar incident was witnessed at Kapkot in Bageshwar district where 100-year-old Narayan Singh Kapkot arrived at Booth Number 46 to cast his vote. 

The sub divisional magistrate of Kapkot honoured Narayan with a shawl.

(PTI)

Over 59% polling was recorded till 5 pm on Monday in Uttarakhand where voting is underway in 70 assembly seats spread over 13 districts. According to EC's voter turnout application, 59.37% voter turnout has been reported.

As per the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout for the Goa election was 75.29% as of 5 pm. The voting percentage in North Goa and South Goa stands at 75.33% and 75.26% respectively. At 88.07%, Sanquelim has recorded the highest voter turnout for any constituency in the state so far.

Over 49 per cent polling was recorded till 3 pm on Monday in Uttarakhand where voting is underway in 70 assembly seats spread over 13 districts, officials said here. 

Long queues of voters were seen outside booths as polling began at 8 am amid strict adherence to Covid protocols. People were allowed to cast their votes only after wearing gloves. 

Till 3 pm, 49.24 per cent polling was recorded in the state, Election Commission officials here said. 

Miffed over a road not being constructed, two villages in the Kedarnath constituency boycotted the polls, prompting the Rudraprayag district administration to make last-ditch efforts to persuade them to exercise their franchise. However, they have refused to budge so far. 

Chief Electoral Officer Saujanya inspected the model polling booths in Nehru Colony and Hathi Barkala in Dehradun to see if Covid protocols were being followed by voters and officials.

The weather has been good across the state and enthusiasm is being witnessed among voters, she said.

Faulty EVMs at certain polling stations were immediately replaced, Saujanya said. 

The polling will go on till 6 pm.              

Uttarkashi district recorded the highest turnout till 3 pm with 56.23 per cent polling followed by Udham Singh Nagar district which recorded a voter turnout of 53.30 per cent by 3 pm. Haridwar recorded a turnout of 54.40 per cent.

The voter turnout in Almora till 3 pm was 43.17 per cent, 46.64 per cent in Bageshwar, 45.56 per cent in Dehradun,48.11  per cent in Chamoli, 47.63 per cent in Champawat, 52.36 per cent in Nainital, 43.94 per cent in Pauri Garhwal, 45.50  per cent in Pithoragarh, 50.23 per cent  in Rudraprayag and 44.74 per cent in Tehri district,officials said 

Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, former chief ministers Trivendra Singh Rawat and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, AAP's chief ministerial candidate Col (retd) Ajay Kothiyal, state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal, Leader of Opposition in the fourth assembly Pritam Singh, Yoga guru Ramdev, and Niranjani Akhara Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Brahmachari were among the first to cast their votes. 

Dhami cast his vote in Khatima, Trivendra and Nishank in Dehradun, Kothiyal in Uttarkashi and Ramdev at a polling booth in Kankhal in Haridwar. 

Talking to reporters after casting his vote Ramdev appealed to people to come out in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise. 

He also asked them to rise above caste, creed and religious considerations to vote for a strong nation and its interests. 

On the ongoing hijab controversy, Ramdev said Asaduddin Owaisi was living in the 18th century. 

"These are minor things when compared to national interest which is paramount. People should reject political, intellectual and religious terrorism and vote for the country," he said. 

This is the fifth assembly polls being held in the politically volatile hill state since its creation in 2000. 

A public holiday was declared by the administration for the single-day polling in the state. 

The ruling BJP is seeking a consecutive second term in office in the state while the Congress is trying to make a comeback after being routed at the hands of the BJP in the 2017 assembly polls. 

The AAP, which has also thrown its hat in the ring, has declared Kothiyal as its chief ministerial candidate. 

A total of 81,72173 voters in the state are eligible to decide the fate of 632 candidates in the fray, including 152 independents, in these elections.

As many as 11,697 polling booths spread over 8,624 locations have been set up. 

For the first time, 101 all-women 'Sakhi' polling booths run by women have been set up in the state to encourage participation of women in the polling process, Saujanya said. 

Similarly, six polling booths manned by differently abled persons have also been set up, she said. 

Prominent candidates whose fate is to be decided in these polls include chief minister Dhami, his cabinet colleagues Satpal Maharaj, Subodh Uniyal, Arvind Pandey, Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya besides state BJP president Madan Kaushik. 

Noted faces from the Congress in the fray include former chief minister Harish Rawat, former minister Yashpal Arya, Godiyal and Pritam Singh.

(PTI)

In Uttarakhand, the highest voter turnout has been reported in Uttarkashi district (56.23%), followed by Haridwar (54.40%) and Udham Singh Nagar (53.30%)

As per the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout for the Goa election was 60.18% as of 3 pm. North Goa reported 60.02% voter turnout, while South Goa reported 60.32% turnout.

As per the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout for the Uttarakhand election was 49.24% as of 3 pm. 

As per the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout for the Goa election was 44.62% as of 1 pm. At 54%, Sanquelim has recorded the highest voter turnout for any constituency in the state so far. Here is the Assembly constituency-wise voter turnout data:

Until 1 pm, 35.21% of the eligible voters in Uttarakhand cast their vote, the ECI revealed. 

District-wise voter turnout: 

Almora - 30.37%

Bageshwar - 32.35%

Chamoli- 33.82%

Champawat- 34.66%

Dehradun- 34.45%

Haridwar- 38.83%

Nainital- 37.41%

Pauri Garhwal - 31.59%

Pithoragarh - 29.68%

Rudraprayag - 34.82%

Tehri Garhwal- 32.59%

Udham Singh Nagar- 37.17%

Uttarkashi- 40.12%

Speaking to the media, AAP's CM face Amit Palekar affirmed that people are voting for change in Goa. He opined, "People want change and today people are voting for change. First Congress looted, then BJP looted, then those elected from Congress went to BJP and looted together, both these parties are scared." 

As per the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout for the Goa election was 26.63% as of 11 am. The voting percentage in North Goa and South Goa stands at 26.26% and 26.95% respectively. At 33%, Sanquelim has recorded the highest voter turnout for any constituency in the state so far.

Until 11 am, 18.97% of the eligible voters in Uttarakhand cast their vote, the ECI revealed. 

District-wise voter turnout: 

• Almora - 15.04%

• Bageshwar - 16.60%

• Chamoli- 17.58%

• Champawat- 17.88%

• Dehradun- 18.80%

• Haridwar- 22.41%

• Nainital- 20:63%

• Pauri Garhwal - 16.46%

• Pithoragarh - 14.96%

• Rudraprayag - 19.39%

• Tehri Garhwal- 16.61%

• Udham Singh Nagar- 20.54%

• Uttarkashi- 16.79%

Speaking to the media after casting his vote, Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd.) said, "I'd like to appeal to everyone to use their voting rights; voting turnout should be 100%. The elections are being held in a proper, unbiased manner." 

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj cast his vote for the Uttarakhand Election in the Chaubattakhal assembly constituency.

As per the Election Commission, the voter turnout for the Goa election was 11.04% as of 9 am. Here are the district-wise turnout figures:

North Goa: 11.17%

South Goa: 10.93%

Goa CM Pramod Sawant cast his vote in Kothambi. He told the media, "Congress leader Michael Lobo and Utpal Parrikar both will not win the election. Definitely, the BJP government is being formed. We will not need to talk with anyone to form the government. We will get a full majority government." 

5.15% of the eligible voters in Uttarakhand cast their vote until 9 am, the ECI revealed. 

District-wise voter turnout: 

• Almora - 4.19%

• Bageshwar - 2.31%

• Chamoli- 3.49%

• Champawat- 4.51%

• Dehradun- 5.55%

• Haridwar- 6.36%

• Nainital- 5:50%

• Pauri Garhwal - 2.51%

• Pithoragarh - 4.55%

• Rudraprayag - 5.41%

• Tehri Garhwal- 4.36%

• Udham Singh Nagar- 6.64%

• Uttarkashi- 2.68%

Uttarakhand CM and BJP candidate from Khatima, Pushkar Singh Dhami cast his vote at a polling booth in the constituency. His mother and wife also cast their votes.

The Uttarakhand CM said, "All our schemes have provided a shield for the people of Uttarakhand; the public knows very well who can work for the development of the state. I'm sure that the Uttarakhand public will bring BJP on 60+ seats." 

"Law and order is very peaceful. Forces are deployed everywhere as per plan. All polling parties had reached safely last night itself. Weather forecast for today is fine, so I hope it'll be peaceful," Uttarakhand Chief Electoral Officer Soujanya told the media.

Speaking to the media, Dehradun Sector Magistrate Jagdamba Prasad said, "We're present on booth nos. 141, 142, 143, 144. All teams deployed, EVMs are up and running. Arrangements have been done, as per ECI's guidelines, agents of different political parties have also verified." 

TMC poll candidate Sandeep Vazarkar's election agent Sandesh Mandrekar complained against malpractice and interference inside the polling station. The complaint pertained to Booth Number 8 and 10 in the Porvorim constituency. 

Here is the letter addressed to the Presiding officer:

Speaking to the media, BJP-turned-Congress leader Michael Lobo hinted that his party might reach out to Utpal Parrikar if he wins from Panaji. Lobo said, "Manohar Parrikar had said that as long as I am alive, I will not bring my son (Utpal Parrikar) into politics. If he comes, he will come on his own. If he wins (Utpal Parrikar) then we will talk to them".

As the voting for the Uttarakhand election commenced, Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "My dear citizens, today is the day to save Uttarakhand and Uttarakhandiyat. Today, we have to vote on unemployment, inflation, atrocities on farmers, women and insecurities among the youth. If our today, only then the future of our children will be safe. Vote first, then have breakfast." 

A total of 81,72,173 voters are eligible to vote in the Uttarakhand election. This includes 42,38,890 men and 39,32,995 women. Moreover, the number of service voters stands at 94,471. 

Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa CM late Manohar Parrikar visited polling booths in Panaji. He is contesting as an independent candidate in the constituency.

Speaking to the media, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai said, "People in Goa are cooperative. There are no major political clashes. The elections will be free and fair. The ECI and all political parties deserve appreciation. This year I expect more people will come to the polling booths." 

Speaking exclusively to Republic TV, Goa CM Pramod Sawant revealed that PM Modi had conveyed his best wishes via telephonic conversation in the morning. He said, "Today is a good day for BJP. PM Modi called me today morning and wished me and all Goans. BJP will definitely win with a huge margin". 

Voting has started for the Goa polls. The photos are from 'Adarsh High School' in Margao where people are standing in a queue waiting for their turn to vote.

Goa's Chief Electoral Officer appealed to all eligible voters of Goa to come out and cast their vote for the Goa election. He assured that free and fair elections will be conducted.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar cast his vote along with his wife at Booth No. 7 of the Vasco constituency.

Speaking to the media as voting commenced in Goa, CM Pramod Sawant said, "I appeal to all Goa citizens to vote today in huge numbers. I am confident that BJP will win in this election."

Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and his wife Reetha Sreedharan cast their votes at polling booth number 15 of the Taleigao Assembly Constituency. 

Urging people to vote, PM Modi appealed, "Polling will be held across Uttarakhand, Goa and in parts of Uttar Pradesh. I call upon all those whose are eligible to vote today to do so in record numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy." 

Taking to Twitter, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal urged the people of Uttarakhand and Goa to cast their vote for a better future. He wrote, "The future of every child of Devbhoomi is associated with your every vote. Your vote is your biggest strength. To build a better Uttarakhand, all my Uttarakhandi brothers and sisters, elders and all youth must go to vote." 

After intense campaigning by BJP, Congress, AAP, TMC, MGP and GFP, the polling for Goa will take place today between 7 am and 6 pm. All the 40 seats spread across North Goa and South Goa will go to the polls in a single phase.

These constituencies are Mandrem, Pernem, Bicholim, Tivim, Mapusa, Siolim, Saligao, Calangute, Porvorim, Aldona, Panaji, Taleigao, St. Cruz, St. Andre, Cumbarjua, Maem, Sanquelim, Poriem, Valpoi, Priol, Ponda, Siroda, Marcaim, Mormugao, Vasco-Da-Gama, Dabolim, Cortalim, Nuvem, Curtorim, Fatorda, Margao, Benaulim, Navelim, Cuncolim, Velim, Quepem, Curchorem, Sanvordem, Sanguem and Canacona.

Political scenario post-2017 polls

In the 2017 Goa Assembly polls, BJP suffered a big blow in the absence of its stalwart leader Manohar Parrikar as it could win only 13 seats in contrast to Congress whose candidates won in 17 constituencies. However, BJP staked claim to form the government with the support of 3 MGP MLAs, 3 GFP MLAs, two Independents and an NCP MLA under the leadership of Parrikar who resigned as the Defence Minister. After he passed away on 17 March 2019, the then Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant replaced him.

Deputy CM in the Parrikar Cabinet- Sudin Dhavalikar and Vijai Sardesai were sacked from the Cabinet in the next months. On the other hand, BJP consolidated its position after 10 Congress MLAs including Chandrakant Kavlekar, Atanasio Monserrate, Jeniffer Monserratte, Francis Silveira, Philip Nery Rodrigues, Cleaofacio Dias, Wilfred Dsa, Nilkant Halarnkar and Isidor Fernandes joined the saffron party on 10 July 2019. The spate of defections have increased in the run up to the 2022 polls.

TMC & AAP emerge as key players

In the last few months, TMC has stepped up its election campaign with the party with posters featuring TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee's photo and the slogan 'Gonychi Navi Sakal' (Goa's new dawn) been put across the state. Moreover, it has riled Congress by inducting several of its leaders including ex-CM Luizinho Faleiro. AAP too is wooing the voters with promises such as 300 units of free electricity per month, 24/7 uninterrupted power supply, unemployment allowance and Rs.1000 for every woman aged above 18.

Panaji: Atanasio Monserrate (BJP) vs Utpal Parrikar (Independent) 

A BJP bastion, Panaji has become a battle of prestige for the party after ex-Goa CM Manohar Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar decided to contest as an Independent. After the untimely death of his father, Utpal Parrikar had made public his desire to contest the 2019 by-election in Panaji. However, BJP gave the ticket to Sidharth Kuncalienker and ended up losing to Congress for the first time since 1994.

Ironically, the winning Congress candidate Atanasio Monserrate switched allegiance to BJP along with 9 other party colleagues just a few months later. Rebuffing the JP Nadda-led party's offer to contest from some other seat, Utpal Parrikar will now take on Monserrate who is contesting on a BJP ticket. Even as Shiv Sena's Shailendra Velingkar withdrew his candidature in Parrikar's support, Congress' Elvis Gomes and AAP's Valmiki Naik remain in the poll fray. 

Margao: Digambar Kamat (Congress) vs Manohar Ajgaonkar (BJP)

Margao is set to witness a fascinating contest with BJP pitting Goa Deputy CM Manohar Ajgaonkar against Congress veteran Digambar Kamat. While the latter has held this seat since 1994, Ajgaonkar is the sitting MLA from Pernem. Perceived as a possible CM face, Kamat is the only current legislator of the Sonia Gandhi-led party to contest the 2022 Goa polls on a Congress ticket as most of his colleagues switched allegiance to BJP. The other contenders are TMC's Mahesh Amonkar and Lincoln Vaz of AAP.

Poriem: Deviya Vishwajit Rane (BJP) vs Ranjit Rane (Congress)

Poriem is poised for a high-stakes battle as BJP ignored its derision towards dynasty politics by giving a ticket to Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane's wife Deviya. After winning the 2017 polls on a Congress ticket, Vishwajit Rane immediately jumped ship to BJP and was re-elected from the Valpoi seat. His father Pratapsingh Rane, the sitting MLA from Poriem, remained in the party though and was renominated from this seat by the Congress.

Winning every successive election from 1972, Pratapsingh Rane became Congress' first CM in Goa in 1980 and served in the top post five more times thereafter. However, he pulled out of the poll race in a purported bid to avoid contesting against his daughter-in-law. Hence, Congress gave the ticket to Ranjit Rane. 

Mandrem: Dayanand Sopte (BJP) vs Laxmikant Parsekar (Independent)

In the poll fray as an Independent, former Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar will seek to defeat BJP's official candidate Dayanand Sopte. A three-time MLA from Mandrem, Parsekar was sworn in as the CM on November 8, 2014, after Manohar Parrikar was inducted into the Union Cabinet. However, he suffered a shock defeat in the 2017 Assembly polls losing to Sopte who was in Congress by a margin of 7,119 votes. 

Subsequently, Sopte switched allegiance to BJP and was re-elected from Mandram. Parsekar who was the head of BJP's manifesto committee for the Goa elections quit the party after Sopte was again fielded from the Mandrem constituency. In Mandrem, Goa Forward Party and AAP have given a ticket to Deepak Kalangutkar and Prasad Shahapurkar respectively.

Calangute: Michael Lobo (Congress) vs Joseph Sequeira (BJP)

A two-time MLA from Calangute, Michael Lobo was a Minister in the Pramod Sawant-led government until January when he resigned from the Cabinet as well as BJP. While Lobo accused BJP of sidelining those close to late BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar, the CM asserted that the former jumped ship as the party was not willing to give a poll ticket to his wife. While Lobo will contest from Calangute on a Congress ticket this time, his wife Delilah has been nominated from the Siolim constituency. On the other hand, BJP has named former Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira as its candidate.

Sanquelim: A crucial constituency, Sanquelim will witness incumbent CM Pramod Sawant seeking re-election. It is pertinent to note that both the Union Home Minister and ex-Congress president Rahul Gandhi have campaigned in this seat. Interestingly, Sawant commenced his electoral journey with a loss in the 2008 by-election to the Pale constituency. However, he gained instant success by switching to Sanquelim, a seat that he has held since 2012.

In the previous election, he defeated Dharmesh Saglani of Congress by a narrow margin of 2,131 votes. It promises to be an interesting fight this time with Congress fielding Saglani while Manojkumar Ghadi of AAP and Mahadev Khandekar of MGP are other key candidates. This marks an important election for Sawant who took over as the CM in 2019 after BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar's demise. 

St. Cruz: This seat has assumed greater importance as AAP's CM candidate Amit Palekar is in the poll fray. An advocate by profession, Palekar had gained traction after he staged an indefinite hunger strike to save a heritage site in old Goa where illegal construction was being built.

But he faces a tough challenge as Congress has not lost this seat since 1999. While Antonio Fernandes emerged victorious in the previous election on a Congress ticket, he switched allegiance to BJP in July 2019. Amid BJP nominating him from this constituency, Congress has reposed faith in Rodolfo Louis Fernandes who polled 6308 and 5262 votes in the 2012 and 2017 polls while contesting as an Independent. 

Fatorda: Congress ally Goa Forward Party's president Vijai Sardesai is eyeing a third consecutive win from this seat. Sardesai served as the Deputy CM in the BJP government until being sacked by Pramod Sawant mid-term. BJP has fielded Damodar Naik who lost to the GFP chief by a mere 1,334 votes in the 2017 election.

Even as TMC had fielded former CM Luizinho Faleiro from the seat, he withdrew his candidature after being reportedly miffed at being not nominated from Navelim, a seat won by him 7 times. Finally, TMC gave the ticket to young lawyer Seoula Vaz. 

Velim: An interesting contest is on the cards in Velim from where journalist and Goa chronicle founder Savio Rodrigues is contesting on a BJP ticket. He faces an uphill task as either Congress candidates or Independents have traditionally won this seat. 

Filipe Nery Rodrigues who won the last election as a Congress candidate is now contesting on an NCP ticket. On the other hand, TMC has given the ticket to Benjamin Silva, who was the runner-up in Velim last time. Meanwhile, Congress has nominated Savio D'Silva from this seat. 

Quepem: This seat is of significance to BJP as Deputy CM Chandrakant Kavlekar is contesting from here. While he has won Quepem since 2002, this is the first time he is fighting as a BJP candidate. In July 2019, Kavlekar, who was then serving as the Leader of Opposition, jumped ship to BJP along with 9 other Congress MLAs. Alexy Fernandes of Shiv Sena, Congress' Sanzil D'Costa and TMC's Kanta Gaude are the other key contenders. 

A three-way battle for the 70-seat Uttarakhand assembly will be held today with BJP eyeing to retain the hilly state. It faces a tough Opposition from Congress led by ex-CM Harish Rawat aiming for re-election and AAP trying to make inroads under its CM face Ajay Kothiyal'. 

Political scenario post-2017 election

In the 2017 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, the Harish Rawat-led Congress government lost power after BJP won 57 seats in the 70-member House. Thereafter, Trivendra Singh Rawat served as the Chief Minister of the state until 9th March, when he resigned because of a collective decision taken by the BJP top brass. His successor and Lok Sabha MP Tirath Singh Rawat's tenure as the CM was also short-lived and was replaced by Pushkar Singh Dhami as the Election Commission was unlikely to conduct a by-election owing to the COVID-19 situation.

The AAP factor

AAP has tried to make inroads in the state in the last few months with a mass outreach campaign titled 'Uttarakhand me bhi Kejriwal', increasing online presence besides regular visits by high-profile leaders such as Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal. However, non-BJP and non-Congress parties have failed to make any gains in Uttarakhand so far which is evident from the failure of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, SP and BSP. AAP has declared Colonel (retd.) Ajay Kothiyal as its CM face.

Narendra Nagar

This seat from Tehri Garhwal will see a face-off between incumbent BJP MLA Subodh Uniyal and turncoat Om Gopal Rawat. Uniyal who won the seat in 2012 on a Congress ticket and on a BJP ticket in 2017, has been fielded again by the BJP, leading to discontent among the BJP MLAs. Om Gopal Rawat, who was one of the strong contenders quit BJP and joined Congress. Rawat, who had won the seat in 2007, eyes to wrestle the seat back from Uniyal on a Congress ticket.

Chaubattkhal

Satpal Maharaj - one of BJP's most coveted leaders - will face an easy battle for this safe BJP seat- Chaubattakhal. Satpal Maharaj - a cabinet minister and spiritual leader - has been wooed by Congress and AAP before polls - offering to make him CM, but he has remained steadfast with BJP. Satpal Maharaj switched from Congress to BJP in 2014 and won the seat in 2017.

Tehri

A battle of turncoats will be seen for Tehri where BJP-turned-Congress leader Dhan Singh Negi will fight Congress-turned-BJP leader Kishore Upadhyay. Negi had won Tehri in 2017 on a BJP ticket, but switched to Congress after failing to win a ticket. On the other hand, Upadhyay, who was ex-Congress Uttarakhand chief won the seat in 2002 and 2007. He switched from Congress to BJP on the same day as Negi switched to Congress and eyes re-election.

Khatima

Incumbent CM Pushkar Singh Dhami - BJP's presumable CM face - faces Congress' Bhuwan Chandra Kapri for his home constituency - Khatima. Dhami - a close aide of outgoing CM Rawat and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari - has won Khatima twice (2011 and 2017). However, this will be the first time he will be seeking re-election as CM, which has been a rare success in Uttarakhand. 45-year-old Pushkar Singh Dhami took over as the new Uttarakhand CM from Tirath Singh Rawat who resigned citing 'constitutional constraints'. Rawat replaced Trivendra Singh Rawat in March 2021, ten days before the completion of his govt's 4 years, amid resentment among cabinet members.

Gangotri

A triangular battle brews in Gangotri between AAP's CM face 'Bhole ke fauji' Ajay Kothiyal and BJP's Suresh Chauhan and Vijaypal Singh Sajwan. The assembly seat was won by Gopal Singh Rawat who died in 2021, making it vacant. As AAP fielded Kothiyal for the bypolls, challenging then-CM Tirath Singh Rawat to contest polls, bypolls were not held due to rise of COVID cases. Kothiyal -  former principal of Uttarkashi-based Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, has never contested polls. He faces Congress veteran  Vijaypal Singh Sajwan who won the same seat in 2002 & 2011.

Khatima: Pushkar Singh Dhami vs Bhuwan Chandra Kapri

Incumbent CM Pushkar Singh Dhami - BJP's presumable CM face - faces Congress' Bhuwan Chandra Kapri for his home constituency - Khatima. Dhami - a close aide of outgoing CM Rawat and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari - has won Khatima twice (2011 and 2017). However, this will be the first time he will be seeking re-election as CM, which has been a rare success in Uttarakhand. 

45-year-old Pushkar Singh Dhami took over as the new Uttarakhand CM from Tirath Singh Rawat who resigned citing 'constitutional constraints'. Rawat replaced Trivendra Singh Rawat in March 2021, ten days before the completion of his govt's 4 years, amid resentment among cabinet members.

Lalkuwa: Harish Rawat vs Mohan Singh Bisht

Ex-CM Harish Rawat - Congress' preferred CM face - faces an easy challenge from BJP's Mohan Singh Bisht for the Lalkuwa seat. He also faces Pawan Chauhan, who was denied a ticket by the BJP, as an independent candidate. In 2017, Rawat had lost from the two seats (Haridwar Rural and Kichha) from which he contested and then lost in 2019 for the Nainital Lok Sabha seat by 3 lakh votes. Rawat will fight from Lalkuwa instead of Ramnagar, where was originally stated to fight from after Ranjit Rawat staked claim to the Ramnagar seat - threatening to quit otherwise.

Gangotri: Ajay Kothiyal vs Vijaypal Singh Sajwan vs Suresh Chauhan

A triangular battle brews in Gangotri between AAP's CM face 'Bhole ke fauji' Ajay Kothiyal and BJP's Suresh Chauhan and Vijaypal Singh Sajwan. The assembly seat was won by Gopal Singh Rawat who died in 2021, making it vacant. As AAP fielded Kothiyal for the bypolls, challenging then-CM Tirath Singh Rawat to contest polls, bypolls were not held due to rise of COVID cases. Kothiyal -  former principal of Uttarkashi-based Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, has never contested polls. He faces Congress veteran  Vijaypal Singh Sajwan who won the same seat in 2002 & 2011.

Bajpur: Yashpal Arya Vs Rajesh Kumar

Turncoat MLA Yashpal Arya views a hat-trick in the SC-reserved seat after switching back to Congress months before the polls. Arya who won the seat in 2012, switched to BJP and won the seat 2017. Now, he has switched back to Congress and eyes to retain the seat. Arya has served as a cabinet minister in the Vijay Bahuguna and Harish Rawat governments from 2012 to 2017.

Chakrata: Pritam Singh Vs Ramsharan Nautiyal

Uttarakhand LoP Pritam Singh faces ex-Congressman Ramsharan Nautiyal who switched to BJP from Congress in 2014. Nautiyal's son in Bollywood singer Jubin Nautiyal - who has incidentally sung the BJP's soulful campaign song. Pritam Singh - the incumbent MLA has won the seat 4 times - 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 and is also one of Congress' probable CM face.