Himachal Pradesh News
Congress Reclaims Chamba Municipal Council After 10 Years, Secures Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Posts
In a significant political development, the Congress party has regained control of the Chamba Municipal Council (MC) after nearly ten years, securing the top leadership positions in the civic body and strengthening its foothold in the historic hill town.
In a significant political development, the Congress party has regained control of the Chamba Municipal Council (MC) after nearly ten years, securing the top leadership positions in the civic body and strengthening its foothold in the historic hill town.
The leadership change was finalized on Thursday when Bhuvneshwari Gulati was elected as the Chairperson of the Chamba Municipal Council, while Jitender Surya emerged victorious as the new Vice-Chairperson.
Bhuvneshwari Gulati Elected Chairperson
The chairperson’s post was reserved for a woman councillor from the Scheduled Caste category. As the only eligible elected representative meeting the reservation criteria in the 11-member council, Bhuvneshwari Gulati was elected to the position.
Her appointment marks a key milestone for the Congress party, which has been working to regain influence in the municipal body after years of BJP dominance.
Jitender Surya Wins Vice-Chairperson Election
The contest for the vice-chairperson’s post witnessed a direct political battle between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress candidate Jitender Surya defeated the BJP nominee by a margin of 7 votes to 5, securing the second-most important position in the council.
The victory highlighted Congress’ successful efforts to consolidate support within the newly elected civic body.
Independent Councillor Played Crucial Role
The municipal elections held on May 17 had produced a closely contested result, with both Congress and BJP winning five seats each, while one seat was secured by an independent candidate.
Political equations shifted in favor of Congress after the party managed to secure the support of the independent councillor. The additional backing gave Congress the numbers needed to claim leadership of the municipal council and establish control over the local governing body.
Focus on Development and Sanitation
Reacting to the outcome, Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayar congratulated the newly elected chairperson, vice-chairperson, and councillors.
He stated that the Congress-led municipal council would prioritize improving sanitation services, accelerating development projects, and enhancing civic infrastructure to make Chamba a cleaner, more organized, and more livable town for residents.
According to Nayar, the new leadership is expected to focus on addressing local issues while ensuring faster implementation of public welfare initiatives.
Political Significance Ahead of Future Elections
Political observers view Congress’ return to power in the Chamba Municipal Council as a significant achievement ahead of upcoming local body and Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.
The development is being interpreted as a sign of changing political preferences among voters in the region. The BJP had previously maintained control over the municipal council for consecutive terms, making Congress’ comeback particularly noteworthy.
With control of the civic body now back in its hands, Congress will look to translate this local victory into broader political momentum in the coming years.
