Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has made a sharp counterattack on the claims of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the results of municipal body and Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh. He said that BJP is trying to tell the atmosphere of the entire state on the basis of Municipal Corporation elections, whereas the real picture will emerge from the results of Zilla Parishad and Panchayat elections.
The Chief Minister claimed that Congress-supported candidates have received widespread public support in the Panchayat elections. According to him, around 2400 Pradhan and 2300 Deputy Pradhan Congress supported candidates have emerged victorious across the state. In the local body elections, Congress has got lead in four seats of Kullu and three seats of Mandi. The final results of Zilla Parishad elections will also be in favor of Congress.
‘Important role of local issues in Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections’
Sukhu said that local issues and the image of regional leadership play an important role in the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections. He said, “I myself have contested councilor elections and know that the local factor is most effective in these elections.”
Referring to the Mandi Municipal Corporation elections, the Chief Minister said that the credit for the victory there largely goes to the influence of local MLA Anil Sharma, whereas in Dharamshala, local MLA Sudhir played a role. He said that municipal corporation elections are limited to one assembly constituency, hence they cannot be considered as the mandate of the entire state.
Zilla Parishad elections cover 70 percent area of ​​the assembly.
CM said that the Zilla Parishad elections cover about 70 percent of the assembly constituencies and these results will clarify the political direction of the state. Taking aim at BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur, he said that he is hastily claiming victory, whereas the complete picture is yet to be revealed.
Congress got the benefit of campaigns in the elections
The Chief Minister also said that Congress is getting the benefits of strengthening the rural economy, improving education and health sectors and campaigns against drug addiction in the elections. He expressed confidence that after all the results are declared, the position of Congress will become stronger.
CM said that in BJP divided into five factions, Bindal faction has definitely won in Solan, while Jai Ram Thakur is on the margins. Leaving aside Mandi Municipal Corporation, only Congress has won the Municipal Council, Nagar Panchayat and Panchayat elections.
