Himachal Assembly Winter Session: Opposition targets government over delay in panchayat, urban local body polls

The motion was brought by senior BJP leader and MLA Randhir Sharma, MLA Surender Shourie, and MLA Jeet Ram Katwal.

Initiating the debate, Sharma accused the state government of being in “conflict” with the State Election Commission and of “mocking the Constitution” by allegedly delaying the elections. “A senior Congress leader always used to hold the Constitution in his hands while taking out foot marches across the country to ‘save the Constitution’. But here in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government itself is making a mockery of it,” he said.

Sharma also taunted the government over its proposed event in Mandi, saying, “Mandi was the worst-affected district during the 2025 natural disaster, yet the government is planning to hold its function there to mark three years in office. Does this mean the disaster is over?”

Responding sharply, CM Sukhu rejected the allegation, clarifying, “I would like to state in the House that we are not holding any celebration in Mandi on the completion of three years of our government. We will only be presenting our government’s vision. We will reply to all the Opposition leaders at the end of the debate.”

Sharma further alleged that the Congress government was “manipulating the delimitation process” to favour its local leaders. He said some Congress functionaries were pressuring government officials to alter village and ward boundaries to ensure their electoral victory.

He also accused the government of using this year’s natural disaster as a pretext to delay Gram Panchayat elections. Sharma said the State Election Commission had already begun preparations for holding panchayat and urban local body elections in May 2025, and that the government intervened to stall the process.

The eight-day Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly will conclude on December 5.

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