Himachal civic polls: BJP dominates, Congress salvages reputation in Palampur
Shimla, May 31: The results of the elections held on May 17 in Himachal Pradesh’s four municipal corporations: Dharamshala, Mandi, Solan, and Palampur were declared on Sunday. The BJP gained a major political advantage by capturing three municipal corporations, while the ruling Congress managed to retain only the Palampur Municipal Corporation. The BJP’s victories in Dharamshala, Solan, and Mandi are being considered a major boost for the party, while the Congress is seeing these results as a setback.
The elections in all four municipal corporations were fought on party symbols, and both parties had made them a matter of prestige. On behalf of the Congress, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, state in-charge Rajni Patil, ministers, and MLAs campaigned for the election. On the BJP side, state president Rajeev Bindal, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, MPs, and former ministers led the campaign. Consequently, these results are also being seen as an indication of public political sentiment ahead of the assembly elections scheduled for late next year.
Of the 17 seats in the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, the BJP won 11, while the Congress secured five, and one seat went to an independent. Of the 17 seats in the Solan Municipal Corporation, the BJP won 10, the Congress five, and independent candidates won two. Elections were held in 14 of the 15 wards in the Mandi Municipal Corporation, where the BJP won 12, while the Congress was reduced to just one, while one seat went to an independent. On the other hand, the Congress retained its hold on the Palampur Municipal Corporation by winning 11 of the 15 seats, while the BJP had to settle for only four.
In the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, the BJP secured a clear majority, securing power. The BJP won 11 seats, while the Congress was reduced to five. An independent candidate won one seat. Dharamshala has long been considered a political prestige center between the BJP and the Congress. Consequently, the BJP’s victory here is considered significant. MLA Sudhir Sharma, who switched from Congress to the BJP, described it as a clear mandate from the people, saying that voters have voted for development and good governance.
The BJP also dominated the Mandi Municipal Corporation. In the home district of former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, the BJP performed remarkably well, winning 12 out of 14 seats. Congress won only one seat, while one seat went to an independent candidate. The BJP had also won the Mandi Municipal Corporation, formed in 2021, but this time it has improved its performance. Political experts attribute this to Jai Ram Thakur’s influence and the strength of the organization.
The BJP also secured a majority in the Solan Municipal Corporation, winning 10 out of 17 seats. Congress secured five seats, while two independent candidates won. The Solan result is also being considered a setback for the Congress government, as the corporation was under Congress control in the last election. This time, the responsibility for the election campaign rested with Minister Dhaniram Shandil and Minister Rohit Thakur. Dhaniram Shandil himself is an MLA from Solan. However, both ministers failed to secure a victory for the Congress. On the other hand, this is the home constituency of BJP state president Rajiv Bindal. Consequently, the BJP’s victory further strengthened Bindal’s political stature.
However, the Congress was not completely disappointed. The party maintained its dominance in the Palampur Municipal Corporation for the second consecutive time. By winning 11 out of 15 seats, Congress secured a clear majority, while the BJP was limited to four seats. Congress began gaining an edge from the initial wards and maintained its lead in most of the wards. Palampur was the only municipal corporation in the state where the Congress managed to retain its stronghold. This victory is being seen as a political boost for local MLA Ashish Butail and state government minister Rajesh Dharmani. Meanwhile, the result is being considered a setback for senior BJP leader and former minister Vipin Singh Parmar.
Overall, the opposition BJP is elated by winning three municipal corporations and is presenting it as a vote of confidence against the Congress government. Meanwhile, the Congress is citing the Palampur victory as evidence of public trust in its policies.
