In a major political setback for the ruling Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, the BJP emerged victorious in three out of the four municipal corporations (MCs) that went to polls, strengthening the Opposition’s position and providing an early indication of the political mood ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The BJP secured clear majorities in the municipal corporations of Solan, Mandi and Dharamshala, while the Congress managed to retain only the Palampur Municipal Corporation. The outcome assumes political significance as each municipal corporation is associated with influential political leaders from both parties.

Ex-CM and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur termed the results a hard lesson for the Congress. Jai Ram Thakur said, “Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu tried his best to woo the voters in ULB elections by making tall promises but people rejected them.”

A senior Congress leader said, “Indeed, the defeat is a big setback for the Congress, which is in power. In fact, during the previous ULB elections, when the BJP was in power, the Congress managed to win two MC bodies including Solan and Palampur.”

The leader said, “In the coming days, there will be a meeting to find out the reasons behind the defeat.”

In the 17-member Solan Municipal Corporation, the BJP won 10 wards, while the Congress secured six seats and one ward was won by an Independent candidate. In Mandi, elections were held in 14 out of 15 wards, and the BJP registered a sweeping victory by winning 12 of them. The two remaining seats went to the Congress and an Independent candidate.

The BJP also secured a comfortable victory in Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, winning 11 out of 17 wards and effectively ensuring control over the mayor and deputy mayor posts. Five wards were won by Congress candidates and one by an Independent. In Palampur, 11 wards out of 15 were won by Congress candidates and four went to the BJP.

Solan result boost for BJP state president

The BJP’s victory in Solan Municipal Corporation is being seen as a major boost for Himachal Pradesh BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal, who hails from Solan district and has considerable influence in the region. Conversely, the Congress defeat in Solan comes as an embarrassment for senior Congress leader and Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, who represents the Solan Assembly constituency in the state legislature.

Mandi victory strengthens Jai Ram Thakur’s position

The BJP’s landslide victory in Mandi Municipal Corporation has further reinforced the political standing of LoP Jai Ram Thakur, whose home district is Mandi and who represents the Seraj Assembly constituency.

Mandi is widely regarded as Jai Ram Thakur’s political stronghold. The result is being viewed as a strong endorsement of the BJP’s influence in the district despite the Congress being in power at the state level.

Dharamshala result favours Sudhir Sharma

The BJP’s victory in the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation is expected to strengthen the position of BJP MLA and former Congress minister Sudhir Sharma, who switched allegiance to the BJP following the Rajya Sabha election controversy in 2024 and subsequently retained the Dharamshala Assembly seat in the by-election.

Congress finds consolation in Palampur

While suffering losses elsewhere, the Congress managed to retain control of Palampur Municipal Corporation. Political analysts attributed the Congress victory in Palampur largely to the personal influence and organisational strength of local Congress MLA Ashish Butail.

A Congress leader remarked, “In Palampur, this municipal corporation election was not Congress versus BJP. It was Ashish Butail versus the BJP.”

The result is being viewed as a personal triumph for Butail at a time when the Congress suffered setbacks in other urban local bodies across the state.