Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukvinder Singh Sukhu has dismissed the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) claims of a sweeping victory in the recent urban local body elections, stating that Congress emerged as the leading party by winning 29 out of 53 contests for Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat across the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Shimla on Sunday, Sukhu described the BJP’s portrayal of the results as a mandate against the Congress government as “misleading” and unsupported by actual data.
“Out of 53 urban local body elections, Congress has won 29, BJP has won 21 and three bodies have returned a hung verdict. These are the facts. BJP’s claims of a major victory are not based on reality,” the Chief Minister said.
Sukhu challenged the BJP’s interpretation of the results, specifically its celebration of victory in the Mandi Municipal Corporation, noting that the outcome reflected the influence of local leaders such as MLA Anil Sharma rather than a personal victory for Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur.
“If BJP considers Mandi Municipal Corporation as Jai Ram Thakur’s victory, then it should also explain its performance in places like Ner Chowk, Karsog and other local bodies where it failed to secure victories,” he stated.
The Chief Minister emphasised that local body polls are often shaped by local issues, personalities and community-level factors rather than broader political trends. He remarked that councillor elections differ from Assembly or Parliamentary polls and depend heavily on candidates’ local standing.
Providing a district-wise summary, Sukhu asserted that Congress performed strongly in several regions, including Kangra, Shimla, Bilaspur and Chamba. He highlighted that Congress won all seven urban local body elections in Kangra district and recorded notable victories elsewhere in the state.
Commenting on Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections, Sukhu said Congress-supported candidates achieved “historic success” in rural areas, with nearly 2,300 Congress-backed panchayat pradhans elected across Himachal Pradesh.
“The people of Himachal Pradesh have given strong support to Congress in both urban and rural elections. This has boosted the morale of our workers and leaders,” he added.
Addressing the BJP’s description of the elections as a “semi-final” ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls, Sukhu rejected the comparison, arguing that local body elections cannot be directly equated with state-level contests.
He also mentioned that results from the Block Development Committee (BDC) and Zila Parishad elections were still being compiled and would offer a fuller picture of public sentiment in the state.
In administrative news, Sukhu indicated that a new Chief Secretary was likely to be appointed soon following the retirement of outgoing Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta. He praised Gupta’s tenure, noting his effective service and important decisions.
“The government will take a decision after due consultation and Himachal Pradesh is likely to have a new Chief Secretary by tonight,” Sukhu said.
The Chief Minister concluded by stating that although outcomes in local elections have limited long-term political implications, the BJP should acknowledge the actual results rather than projecting a narrative of dominance.
“The truth is that Congress has secured more victories than BJP in these elections. The people of Himachal Pradesh have once again placed their faith in Congress,” he affirmed.