The results of the four municipal corporation (MC) elections have come as a major shot in the arm for the BJP, which has won four of the three bodies of Mandi, Dharamshala and Solan, sending alarm bells for the ruling Congress.
The BJP’s impressive win in three of the four prestigious MC’s, fought on party symbols, will bolster the party’s fight against the ruling Congress, with barely one and a half years left before the 2027 Assembly elections.
Being viewed as semi-finals before the Vidhan Sabha polls, the results of the MC polls come as a major setback for the Congress, which will have to do a lot of introspection for the dismal performance and undertake corrective measures.
Though both the Congress and BJP have been making claims of victory in the 47 urban local body polls, results of which were declared earlier, it is only in these four MC’s that elections were held on party symbols, giving a clear picture of the public mandate.
Refuting BJP claims of victory, Chief Minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Congress had won 29 urban local bodies besides massive support in panchayat polls, while the BJP won only 21 bodies. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the results are a reflection of the anti-people and dismal performance of the Congress regime, which is on its way out.
The BJP’s performance in its citadel of Mandi has been spectacular, where it swept 12 of the 15 wards, while Congress has been reduced to mere one seat in the 15-ward body. The BJP’s stellar performance in Mandi, the home turf of former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, has further consolidated his position within the party, with a power struggle ahead of the 2027 polls.
The results of Mandi MC are also an indication of the political stature of local MLA Anil Sharma, son of former Telecommunication Minister Sukh Ram, who has remained steadfast in his grip over his constituency.
The Congress has had to contend by retaining its control over the Palampur MC, where the party did exceptionally well by emerging victorious in 11 of the 15 wards. The impressive win in Palampur has once again reiterated the strong leadership of Ashish Butail, who is being credited for keeping the Congress flag flying high.
The BJP’s victory in Dharamshala is symbolic of the growing clout of local MLA Sudhir Sharma, who spearheaded the party campaign and is being credited for the victory. A new entrant into the BJP, barely two years back after switching over from the Congress, the victory will add to his stature within the BJP in the biggest and politically significant district of Kangra.
The ruling party’s performance in Solan also does not augur well, as the BJP won 10 of the 17 wards while Congress candidates won on merely six seats. Questions are being raised on the leadership of the local MLA and Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, who was spearheading the campaign.