In the recent urban local body elections in Uttarakhand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a significant victory, securing 10 out of 11 mayoral seats. This overwhelming success marked a strong performance by the ruling party, with only one mayoral seat going to an independent candidate.
The independent nominee, Arti Bhandari, emerged victorious in Srinagar, located in the Pauri district. The state election commissioner, Sushil Kumar, confirmed the results of the mayoral elections, which were part of a larger polling exercise involving 100 urban local bodies.
The polling took place on January 23, with voters participating through a ballot system. A total of 5,405 candidates contested in the election, including those running for mayoral posts, municipal council chairperson positions, and municipal councillor roles.
The voter turnout stood at an impressive 65.4 percent, reflecting a significant level of civic engagement in the election process. As of Sunday, the counting of votes, which began on Saturday, was still in progress, but the results for most urban local bodies were expected to be finalised by the afternoon.
The BJP’s triumph in the mayoral elections was a clear indication of its dominance in the state's political landscape. Among the mayoral candidates from the BJP, several notable figures emerged victorious. Saurabh Thapliyal won the Dehradun mayoral seat, while Shambhu Paswan claimed victory in Rishikesh.
Other BJP candidates who triumphed included Dipak Bali in Kashipur, Kiran Jaisdal in Haridwar, Anita Devi in Roorkee, Shailendra Rawat in Kotdwar, Vikas Sharma in Rudrapur, Ajay Verma in Almora, Kalpana Devlal in Pithoragarh, and Gajraj Bisht in Haldwani.
In contrast, the Congress party, which had secured two mayoral seats in the previous urban local body elections in 2018, failed to win any mayoral posts this time.
The party's performance was also disappointing in the municipal councils, where it finished behind both the BJP and independent candidates. This outcome highlights the challenges faced by the Congress party in maintaining its relevance in the state's urban local elections.
The BJP had focused its campaign on promoting the idea of a "triple-engine government," emphasising the uninterrupted pace of development in the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his gratitude to the voters and congratulated the winning BJP candidates.
He also acknowledged the role of the elected representatives in driving forward the state's development agenda. "Now, it is the job of all the elected representatives to speed up development in their respective areas and strengthen the system," Dhami stated.
One of the key priorities for the state government, according to Dhami, is the implementation of the concept of clean and green cities through the municipal bodies.
This initiative aims to create a positive and inspiring experience for tourists visiting Uttarakhand, encouraging them to return with fond memories of their time in the state.
Dhami also took the opportunity to thank the state election commission for conducting the polls in a peaceful manner, ensuring the smooth operation of the democratic process.
The BJP’s sweeping victory in the Uttarakhand urban body elections underscores its stronghold in the state and its ability to secure substantial support in urban areas.
With the successful election of several prominent leaders to mayoral positions, the party is poised to continue its focus on urban development, aiming to enhance the state's infrastructure and provide better facilities for residents and visitors alike.
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