A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation led by BJP state president Dr. Rajeev Bindal met Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhawan on Monday and raised concerns over alleged interference in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and Urban Local Body (ULB) elections by the Congress-led state government.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur was also present during the meeting, along with several senior BJP leaders and office bearers. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor, highlighting what the BJP termed repeated attempts by the state government to manipulate democratic processes, amend rules during the election period, and influence the public mandate through administrative and political pressure.
Addressing the media after the meeting, BJP state president Dr. Rajeev Bindal said the delegation had approached the Governor to protect democracy and constitutional values in Himachal Pradesh. He said PRI and municipal elections were the foundation of democracy and were traditionally non-party-based in the state. However, he alleged that the Congress government and the Chief Minister were interfering in the election process.
He accused the state government of changing rules and amending provisions after the election process had already begun. He alleged that amendments in reservation provisions and rules governing the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats were aimed at giving excessive discretionary powers to officials and indirectly benefiting Congress leaders.
He said the Congress party was facing strong public anger across the state and was heading towards a major defeat in the ongoing local body elections.
According to him, Congress had failed to officially nominate candidates in several places due to fear of defeat. He alleged that the government was now trying to manipulate the election process to protect itself politically.
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur also strongly criticised the Congress government, alleging continuous attempts to weaken democratic institutions in the state. He claimed that the government had earlier tried to delay Panchayat elections but failed in both the High Court and Supreme Court, and the elections were now being conducted only due to Supreme Court directions.
Thakur accused the Chief Minister of violating the Model Code of Conduct by announcing financial incentives and development funds during election rallies in favour of Congress-backed candidates. He said announcements ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore for development works were made publicly, which amounted to a direct violation of election norms.
He also claimed that BJP-backed candidates had secured clear majorities in a large number of municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats across Himachal Pradesh. He said BJP-supported candidates had won majorities in 18 out of 25 municipal councils and 12 out of 22 Nagar Panchayats. He alleged that after seeing these results, the Congress government amended rules related to the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons to delay the process and allow political pressure and horse-trading.
Thakur further alleged that elected representatives were being threatened with vigilance inquiries, transfers, and administrative action if they did not support Congress-backed groups. He also said cabinet decisions were taken and publicised during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, including announcements on financial assistance schemes and honorarium hikes, which the BJP believes were meant to influence voters and elected representatives.
The BJP delegation urged the Governor to intervene and ensure protection of democratic values, constitutional processes, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate in Himachal Pradesh.
Among those present at the meeting were former minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Sanjay Sood, BJP state general secretary Sanjeev Katwal, district president Keshav Chauhan, state secretaries Sanjay Thakur and Kusum Sadret, treasurer Kamaljeet Sood, office secretary Pramod Thakur, senior spokesperson Ganesh Dutt, media department state convener Karan Nanda, Kisan Morcha president Sanjeev Deshta, Minority Morcha president Gurmeet Singh, Jagdish Chand Sharma, Anshul Bansal, Kiran Baba, Pyar Singh, Sudip Mahajan, and several other BJP office bearers.
Also read: Two injured as bus overturns near Solan
Follow us
