Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has won the Champawat bypoll by over 55,000 votes. Dhami had to win to remain as chief minister. He had been sworn into the state’s top post in March after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party retained power in the February-March election but he lost his individual race from Khatima to the Congress.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for the record win. ‘Congratulations to Uttarakhand’s dynamic CM @pushkardhami for the record win from Champawat. I am confident he will work even harder for the progress of Uttarakhand. I thank the people of Champawat for placing their faith in BJP and laud our Karyakartas for their hardwork, PM Modi tweeted.