Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
BJP cracks whip on Ex-Mayor, Ex-Dy Mayor; Congress says dissidence worked in its favour
Shimla/Dharamshala, May 11,
Political activity has intensified in Himachal Pradesh ahead of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) elections, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking strict disciplinary action against several of its leaders in Dharamshala and Nahan for allegedly contesting against officially authorized party candidates.
The BJP state leadership has suspended the primary membership of six leaders with immediate effect, accusing them of indiscipline and anti-party activities. Among those expelled are former Dharamshala Mayor Onkar Nehria and former Deputy Mayor Tejinder Kaur, whose suspension has triggered political discussions in the run-up to the civic polls.
According to a press release issued by the BJP state office, the action was taken on the recommendations of the party’s disciplinary committee after receiving complaints from district and mandal units. BJP State President Rajeev Bindal approved the disciplinary action.
Former Mayor Onkar Nehria, contesting from Ward No. 2 of Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, and former Deputy Mayor Tejinder Kaur, contesting from Ward No. 6, were among the prominent leaders suspended for allegedly contesting against BJP-backed candidates.
The party also suspended Dharamshala Urban Mandal Secretary Saroj Guleria, contesting from Ward No. 8, and Booth President Mitul Shukla, contesting from Ward No. 14. Mahila Morcha Mandal Secretary Himanshi Agarwal from Ward No. 1 and Leela Saini from Ward No. 3 of Nagar Parishad Nahan were also suspended from the party’s primary membership.
The BJP stated that organizational discipline is paramount and that no compromise would be made with the dignity of the party organization. The leadership urged workers to work unitedly for the victory of BJP-supported candidates in the ongoing civic and panchayat elections.
Also read Supreme Court extends Himachal Panchayat, ULB poll deadline to May 31, 2026
Meanwhile, the Congress claimed it was witnessing strong support in the ULB and PRI elections across the state. Congress ULB and PRI poll in-charge Harikrishna Himral said no disciplinary action had been required against any office bearers of the party, claiming that Congress war rooms were continuously coordinating with candidates and extending logistical and financial support during the campaign.
Himral claimed that the Congress had already secured a majority in Nagar Panchayat Narkanda, where seven ward candidates were elected unopposed, paving the way for the party to form the chairperson and vice-chairperson positions. He further said that in Dadgai Gram Panchayat, the entire Congress-backed panel had been elected unopposed.
He added that more victories of Congress-supported candidates were expected to be announced following the completion of the nomination withdrawal process, which concluded on Sunday.
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