Himachal: Political dynasties face setback as voters redraw Mandi’s power map
One of the biggest upsets came in the Kotli Zila Parishad ward, where Congress leader Champa Thakur, daughter of former minister and senior Congress stalwart Kaul Singh Thakur, suffered a decisive defeat.
Champa, who currently serves as the District Congress President, was defeated by BJP candidate Hemlata. While Hemlata secured 8,659 votes, Champa managed to garner 6,195 votes, resulting in a substantial margin of defeat.
The loss is being viewed as a major blow to the political standing of the Kaul Singh family, which has remained a dominant force in Mandi politics for decades.
Champa Thakur has enjoyed a long political career at the grassroots level. She has been elected to the Zila Parishad four times from different wards and has previously served as the Chairperson of the Zila Parishad, Mandi.
She also contested the Mandi Sadar Assembly constituency twice against senior BJP leader and former minister Anil Sharma but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
Her father, Kaul Singh Thakur, too, faced defeats in the 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections. Political observers believe the latest result indicates a steady decline in the family’s traditional support base and influence among voters.
The elections also brought disappointment for former minister and senior BJP leader Mahender Singh Thakur. His daughter, Vandana Guleria, who was the official BJP candidate and a sitting Zila Parishad member, lost the Tihra ward election in a closely fought contest. Congress candidate Anita Kumari emerged victorious with 6,384 votes, edging past Vandana, who secured 6,339 votes.
The setback follows another electoral disappointment for the family in the 2022 Assembly elections when Mahender Singh Thakur’s son, Rajat Thakur, lost the Dharampur Assembly seat to Congress candidate Chander Shekhar.
Political analysts view these results as a clear indication that voters are increasingly evaluating candidates on the basis of local performance, accessibility and public connect rather than family legacy.
The Panchayati Raj elections have thus sent a strong message that changing voter aspirations are altering the political landscape and reshaping the balance of power in Mandi district.