BJP accuses Himachal government of misusing machinery, delaying local body elections

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Shimla, June 27

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday accused the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, of misusing state machinery to influence the outcome of recently held panchayati raj and urban local body elections.

State BJP president Rajeev Bindal and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur alleged that false cases were being registered against BJP-backed councillors and representatives, while members of block development committees and other elected bodies were being pressured through administrative and political influence.

In a joint statement, the BJP leaders claimed that the government was deliberately delaying the announcement of election dates for the posts of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in zila parishads, BDCs, and municipal councils to facilitate horse-trading and manipulate elected representatives.

They said elections for 51 urban local bodies, including four municipal corporations, 25 municipal councils, and 22 nagar panchayats, were held on May 17. Elections for 3,754 gram panchayats were conducted in three phases on May 26, 28, and 30.

The BJP leaders alleged that despite repeated requests to the government and administration, the schedule for the remaining elections had not been announced. They claimed that the delay was affecting democratic institutions and alleged that the administration was functioning under political pressure.

Calling the situation an attack on democracy, the BJP announced symbolic protests at deputy commissioners’ offices across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, demanding the immediate announcement of election dates for the chairperson and vice-chairperson posts.

The party also warned that if the government continued to delay the process and attempts at political manipulation continued, it would launch a statewide public agitation. The BJP leaders said the Congress government would be responsible for any further escalation.