Shimla, May 31
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday claimed that the Congress had emerged victorious in 29 of the 53 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and secured the support of around 2,400 elected Pradhans and 2,300 Deputy Pradhans in the recently concluded Panchayati Raj elections across the state.
Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said the election results were a testament to the people’s trust in the government’s policies and commitment to public welfare. He termed the mandate a victory of democratic values and an endorsement of the Congress government’s development-oriented approach.
Sukhu thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh for their support and said the electorate had backed a political vision centred on development, transparency and welfare. He said the mandate would further strengthen the government’s resolve to work with greater responsibility and dedication for the welfare of all sections of society.
Congratulating the victorious candidates, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that they would live up to the expectations of the people and play an active role in the development of their respective areas. He said elected representatives at the grassroots level have an important responsibility in strengthening local self-governance and ensuring effective implementation of development programmes.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government remains committed to inclusive development and will continue focusing on employment generation, strengthening education and healthcare services, and improving infrastructure across the state.
He said public service remains the government’s foremost priority and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to accelerate the pace of development and take Himachal Pradesh to new heights of progress.
Sukhu added that the confidence reposed by the people would inspire the government to continue working with sincerity and commitment towards the overall development of the state.
Responding to a query regarding ruling parties defeat in Mandi, Solan and Dharmshala. Chief minister stated that it is not victory of Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur but different fraction succeeded to win the election. He gave the credit of Victory of Mandi MC for BJP MLA Anil Sharma son of Pt Sukh Ram Sharma poltical Guru of Chief minister.
He stated that Jai Ram Thakur couldn’t claimed similar victory in ULBs poll at Nerchoke, Sarghat and Karsog ULBs. He stated that it was poltical weight of late Pt Sukh Ram that BJP havs strong hold of around 35000 votes in Mandi town.
He stated that BJP fought this ULBs poll under various faction and some of the local MLAs who won assembly elections from these ULBs in past made the BJP to won the three MCs.
According to party sources with in BJP it has given free hands to Former Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur for ensuring victory in Mandi MC, Rajiv Bindal at Solan and Sudhir Sharma at Dharmshala who could managed to make the opposition to win the MC election. Since it us considered semifinal before the assembly poll due next years Congress appeared to be on shakable footings having no strong leadership in the state.
With election of Zila Parishad and Block Samiti the picture would be clear in next few days.
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