Dr. Bindal added that BJP has to face the people again in future elections and therefore believes in transparent and fact-based politics.
How can Congress claim victory when it did not even release an official candidate list: Dr. Rajeev Bindal
Shimla 18 May 2026: BJP Himachal Pradesh President Dr. Rajeev Bindal, while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters Deepkamal, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s historic victory in the urban local body elections reflects the trust of the people of Himachal Pradesh, the tireless efforts of BJP workers, and the strength of the organization. He stated that the mandate is a clear public referendum against the failures, false guarantees, and anti-people policies of the Congress government.
Dr. Bindal said the biggest irony is that the Congress party, which did not even release an official list of its candidates during the elections, is now claiming victory. He reminded that Congress leaders had publicly stated before the media that the party would not issue an official candidate list and that any worker was free to contest independently. In such a situation, Congress claiming victory is both misleading and laughable, he said.
He further stated that BJP has honestly considered those candidates as Congress-backed against whom BJP contested elections, and the party is presenting its assessment before the public based on factual ground realities. Dr. Bindal added that BJP has to face the people again in future elections and therefore believes in transparent and fact-based politics.
The BJP state president accused the Congress government and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of repeatedly trying to delay the Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections. He said these elections should have been held in October-November 2025 and the State Election Commission was fully prepared, but the Congress government kept avoiding the electoral process. Eventually, only after the intervention of the High Court and Supreme Court was the election process initiated.
Dr. Bindal said that after the elections were announced, BJP appointed in-charges, co-in-charges, and election teams across the state and carried out extensive organizational preparations. He informed that BJP won 120 out of the total 229 seats in 25 Municipal Councils, while Congress secured 89 seats and others won 20 seats. BJP also performed strongly in Nagar Panchayats and secured clear leads in many areas.
He said this mandate is a direct message from the people against the Congress government’s three years of misgovernance. People are frustrated with deteriorating law and order, rising mafia activities, gang wars, stalled development works, closure of institutions, inflation, increased electricity and water charges, higher transport fares, and unfulfilled guarantees. Women, youth, employees, and common citizens have voted against the Congress government.
Dr. Bindal also alleged that after the election results, the Congress government has become restless and that ministers, MLAs, and officials are attempting to intimidate and influence BJP-backed winning councillors. He accused the government of trying to manipulate democratic institutions by changing rules related to the election of Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons.
Appealing to officials to remain impartial, Dr. Bindal urged them not to become political tools of the Congress party and instead work according to constitutional principles. In conclusion, he thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh and said that in the upcoming elections too, the people will continue to reject the Congress government and place their faith in BJP’s commitment to service, good governance, and development.
