Shimla: Multi-cornered contests are on the cards in most Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, where 408 candidates including Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal (BJP), Congress veteran Virbhadra Singh and Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) supremo Sukh Ram are trying their luck for the February 26 polls.

State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Jai Krishan Sharma, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Vidya Stokes and 63 sitting MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) are also in the fray as the picture became clear after the last date for withdrawal of nominations on February 10.

BJP and Congress have put up candidates in all the 68 seats, HVC in 42 constituencies, Communist Party of India (CPI) in six and Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) in four.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), making its electoral debut in the state, has fielded eight candidates, while Samajwadi Party is contesting 23 seats.

Nearly 200 independents and nominees of smaller parties are also in the race.

Dhumal is locked in four-cornered contest in Bamsan constituency, while Virbhadra Singh, a strong contender for Chief Ministership, has jumped into the fray from Rohroo constituency.

Balloting will be held for 65 constituencies in the state on February 26.

Three snow-bound constituencies – Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur and Pangi Bharmaur – will go to polls in June.

Counting of ballots will take place on March 1.

PTI