BJP wins three of four Himachal municipal bodies

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won control of three of four municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, dealing a setback to the ruling Congress party in recent local elections. The BJP secured majorities in the municipal corporations of Dharamshala, Mandi, and Solan, while the Congress retained the Palampur Municipal Corporation.

Results were declared following voting on May 17, which saw an overall voter turnout of 63.44 percent across the four urban bodies. Mandi recorded the highest participation at 68.78 percent, while Solan had the lowest at 58.32 percent.

In Dharamshala, the BJP won 11 of 17 wards, with Congress taking five and an independent candidate winning one. The party secured a sweeping victory in Mandi, winning 12 of 14 contested wards; Congress won one ward, and one went to an independent. In Solan, the BJP won 10 of 17 wards, Congress secured six, and an independent won one. Congress maintained a stronghold in Palampur, winning 11 of 15 wards, with the BJP taking the remaining four.

The outcome is being viewed as a significant political indicator ahead of the state's 2027 Assembly elections. BJP leaders celebrated the results as a public endorsement. Leader...