BJP Alleges Congress Manipulating Local Elections in Himachal

The Bharatiya Janata Party in Himachal Pradesh has accused the state's Congress government of altering election regulations to sway local polls in its favor. BJP's state chief, Rajeev Bindal, stated that the ruling party aims to misuse these rules to exert undue control over the election process.

According to Bindal, the notification issued on May 27 allows deputy commissioners significant discretion in determining meeting schedules for election processes, potentially disrupting the fair conduct of elections. He criticized the Congress government for delaying the Panchayati Raj elections, originally set for late 2025, calling it a move that risks a constitutional crisis.

The BJP alleges that the Congress is leveraging administrative power and political influence to dominate municipal councils and development bodies. Bindal further mentioned that the recent urban local body elections faced procedural delays, forcing the BJP to seek legal intervention to resolve issues with the election notifications.

Bindal condemned the changes to the electoral rules, which he argues violate democratic standards and laws, suggesting that the amendments are designed to support Congress's political strategies. He emphasized that such actions undermine the mandate of the people and called for the preservation of India's democratic principles.

(With inputs from agencies.)