2009 Indian general election in Himachal Pradesh
2009 Indian general election in Himachal Pradesh
The 2009 Indian general election in Himachal Pradesh was a significant political event, conducted as part of the nationwide elections held between April 16 and May 13, 2009, to elect representatives for the 15th Lok Sabha. In Himachal Pradesh, the election involved a contest for all four parliamentary seats: Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, sought to consolidate its position following its victory in the 2007 state assembly elections. The Indian National Congress, led by prominent candidates such as Virbhadra Singh, aimed to reclaim influence in the region. The election witnessed high voter turnout and was characterized by several key issues, including developmental concerns, local governance, and the impact of the global economic slowdown.