Mandi Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting date, results, candidates, main parties and schedule

2024 Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh. File photo of BJP leaders in Himachal Pradesh.

Mandi, often referred to as Little Kashi and historically known as Mandavya Nagar, holds immense significance as one of Himachal Pradesh's four Lok Sabha constituencies. This district, with its population nearing 1 million, thrives as a bustling center for trade and commerce, primarily driven by agriculture. Approximately 80% of Mandi's populace is engaged in farming, cultivating a diverse range of crops including rice, pulses, millet, tea, sesame seeds, peanuts, sunflower oil, and various herbal products. Silk production in the lower hills also plays a vital role in the local economy, positioning Mandi as a prominent supplier of affordable raw silk in the market. Furthermore, apple cultivation serves as a major agricultural activity, complemented by the district's reliance on tourism.

Despite its agricultural and economic vibrancy, the political landscape of Mandi Lok Sabha constituency has witnessed fluctuations. Historically leaning towards the Congress, the constituency has notably voted for the BJP in the last two elections. Encompassing 17 Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) seats, Mandi's constituency covers a diverse and expansive geographic area stretching from Bharmour to Kinnaur. According to the 2014 Election Commission of India report, the constituency boasts 11.50 lakh voters, with a nearly equal distribution between genders.

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Mandi's unique blend of agricultural prowess, silk production, apple cultivation, and tourism underscores its multifaceted importance within Himachal Pradesh. Its political inclinations, transitioning from Congress to BJP in recent years, reflect the evolving preferences and dynamics of its electorate. As Mandi continues to thrive as a vital economic and political hub, its influence on the broader landscape of Himachal Pradesh remains palpable.

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Similarly, in the 2014 elections, Ram Swaroop Sharma of the BJP emerged triumphant against Congress's Pratibha Singh, a former two-time MP, by a margin of 39,000 votes. Sharma garnered 3.62 lakh votes compared to Singh's 3.22 lakh votes, securing a clear victory. The CPI(M)'s Kushal Bhardwaj finished in third place in that election.