In a major political upheaval in the rural politics of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has returned to power in the Zilla Parishad after almost 26 years. With the election of Bhupendra Singh Sisodia on the post of District Council President and Bharat Singh Kalanta on the post of Vice President, the command of the District Council, which was under the influence of Congress for a long time, has come into the hands of BJP. After the election of the President and Vice President, BJP supporters raised slogans and celebrated the victory. This celebration also became special because there was a close contest between BJP and Congress and independent votes played an important role.
There are a total of 25 members in Shimla Zilla Parishad and the support of 13 members was necessary for majority in the election of President-Vice President. In the election results declared on May 31, BJP supported candidates won 11 seats, while Congress got 10 seats and other candidates won on four seats. In the previous Zilla Parishad, BJP was limited to just four seats, while Congress had 13 seats. In this context, BJP's increase from four to 11 seats was considered a big political change. After this, with the support of two independent members, the number of pro-BJP camp increased to 13. This number was the required majority for the post of President. In August, BJP had also staged a show of strength with 13 supported members and claimed that it had a clear majority.
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- Total Zilla Parishad Wards: 25
- Majority figure: 13
- BJP: 11 seats
- Congress: 10 seats
- Other: 4 seats
- BJP supported number: 13
- Chairman: Bhupendra Singh Sisodia
- Vice President: Bharat Singh Kalanta
The struggle for power lasted for more than 100 days
This time the election of the President and Vice President of the Zilla Parishad was not easy. Even after the election results came on May 31, both the posts remained vacant for about 102 days. During this period, political tussle continued between BJP and Congress to win over independent members on their side. Both the parties kept claiming their respective majority. 13 BJP supported Zilla Parishad members had also approached the High Court regarding the delay in elections. The issue of delay in the election process was raised in the petition filed in the court.
Political temperature increased due to postponement of elections
A meeting was called earlier also for the election of the President and Vice President, but the process could not proceed due to lack of sufficient members present. After this, BJP accused the administration of postponing the elections, while Congress also claimed to have sufficient support in its favor. In August, the BJP moved its supported Zilla Parishad members to Haryana, which was seen as a strategy to protect them from possible manipulation.
Big message from BJP in Congress stronghold
This victory of BJP on Shimla Zilla Parishad is also important because Congress has had influence in the politics of Zilla Parishad for a long time. In the 2021 elections, BJP had won only four out of 24 seats in Shimla, while Congress had won 12 seats. BJP's figure reaching 11 in 2026 and then gaining power with independent support is being considered a sign of its organizational expansion.
The special thing is that BJP has increased its influence even in those areas of rural Shimla, where Congress has traditionally been considered strong. BJP-backed candidates won in wards like Jhakri, Bagalti, Kwar, Khashdhar, Bhalun, Chandalog-Neruwa, Gorli-Madavag, Tiyali, Chamiyana, Khatnol and Kumarsain.
Political signals before 2027 assembly elections
This result of the Zilla Parishad is also being considered important from the point of view of the upcoming assembly elections. The Zilla Parishad elections were already being described as the 'semi-final' before the assembly elections. In such a situation, BJP coming to power in Shimla can be considered a challenge for Congress at the organizational level.
Although Zilla Parishad elections do not directly decide the outcome of the Assembly elections, they have special importance in terms of party organization, local leadership and morale of workers in rural areas. Capturing Shimla Zilla Parishad is also important for BJP because it has given a big psychological boost to the party before the upcoming assembly elections.
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new message of politics
The biggest message of this victory of BJP is that the equation of power is changing in the rural politics of Shimla. For BJP, rising from four seats to 11 seats and then garnering a majority of 13 with the support of independent members and getting both the posts of President and Vice President is not just a victory of the local body but also a demonstration of organizational strength.
Now all eyes will be on how the new BJP supported team of Zilla Parishad gives priority to issues related to development, roads, drinking water, health, education and tourism in rural areas and how much political benefit the party is able to reap from it in the upcoming assembly elections.