Himachal BJP flags contradictions in government notifications and statements

BJP State Media In-Charge and MLA Randhir Sharma, while addressing a press conference on Friday, alleged that the current Congress government is violating democratic norms by postponing Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections.

According to him, the Congress first attempted to delay urban local body elections and, most recently, requested letters from Deputy Commissioners of several districts in Himachal Pradesh, stating that due to disaster-related conditions and disrupted road networks, holding elections was not feasible.

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These letters from four Deputy Commissioners were submitted to the Secretary of Panchayati Raj by the Congress government. Immediately afterward, the Disaster Management Cell issued orders through the Disaster Management Division, citing extensive damage caused by this year’s heavy rainfall and stating that elections could not be held until road networks were fully restored.

Copies of this order were sent to all District Collectors, the State Election Commission, and secretaries and directors of other departments.

After widespread opposition to the order, BJP leaders protested it. Subsequently, both the Panchayati Raj Minister and the Chief Minister claimed that elections would be held on time, creating a clear contradiction between the notification issued yesterday and the statements of the Chief Minister and Minister.

According to Randhir Sharma, this has created confusion among the public, as the government appears to be issuing mixed messages.

He questioned the rationale behind the Disaster Management Division’s order and asked why it was necessary if elections were indeed going to be held on time.

Randhir alleged that despite official statements, the government intends to postpone the elections.
He also criticized the government for previously attempting to delay urban local body elections.

The Congress government had created new urban local bodies whose elections were supposed to be held within six months. Instead, the government bypassed the elections, issued an ordinance, and amended the Act, extending the required term from six months to two years, he said, adding that this meant that elections for newly formed urban local bodies would not be held for two years, while the election process for older municipal bodies – whether Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, or Municipal Corporations – had already begun.

“The State Election Commission had issued a letter on May 24, 2025, initiating the election process and seeking objections regarding ward formation for three urban local bodies. All details were provided, but midway through, the Secretary of the Urban Development Department issued a letter halting the process, further delaying the elections,” he claimed.