Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Thursday that the Congress Party is nearing finalisation of candidates for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in key towns across the state.

Speaking after a meeting of the party’s election committee, Sukhu stated, “In Palampur, we have announced all the candidates for councillors. In Mandi too, we have announced candidates for 10 councillors. The report for the remaining ones is being prepared. Their announcements will also be made by tomorrow.”

Regarding Dharamshala, he added, “two of our wards are pending, and announcements for 15 wards have been made.”

Outlining the election strategy, the Chief Minister said, “The municipal corporation elections that will take place will be on the party symbol, and each assembly’s elections will be on the party symbol. The candidate announcements will be made soon, and the voting for this is on May 17.”

Addressing the forthcoming panchayat elections, Sukhu clarified that Congress will not participate directly: “After the voting, in the panchayat elections that follow, the Congress Party is not directly participating, but we believe that the public knows that the government has worked in the interest of the state,” he said.

In preparation for the urban local body polls, the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has appointed election in-charges for four key municipal corporations. The appointments, approved by party leadership, were confirmed in an official notification issued by HPCC General Secretary (Organisation) Vinod Zinta and have taken immediate effect.