Congress Gains Upper Hand Over BJP in Lahaul-Spiti Zila Parishad Polls, Wins Highest Number of Seats

The Congress party has emerged with a clear advantage in the Lahaul-Spiti Zila Parishad elections, securing the highest number of seats in the tribal district and gaining a political boost ahead of future local and state-level electoral battles.

Out of the nine Zila Parishad seats where voting took place, Congress-backed candidates won four seats, while BJP-supported candidates secured three. Independent candidates also delivered strong performances, winning two seats and highlighting the competitive nature of the elections across the district.

Interestingly, the elections were not officially contested on party symbols. However, the BJP publicly announced its supported candidates, while the Congress chose not to field official party nominees, making the results even more significant for the party.

Election Boycott in Sagnam Ward Draws Attention

One of the key developments during the elections was the boycott in the Sagnam ward, where residents refused to participate in voting over unresolved local issues. The boycott attracted attention and underscored the concerns of local communities regarding developmental matters.

Congress-Backed Candidates Register Key Victories

Congress-supported candidates performed strongly across several wards:

• Suresh Kumar won from Warpa ward with 603 votes, defeating Ratan Lal, who secured 270 votes.
• In a closely fought contest in Keylong ward, Shashi Kiran defeated Sunita by just 11 votes, polling 562 votes.
• Sonal Bodh Thakur recorded a comfortable victory from Sissu ward with 810 votes against Sanjeev Kumar’s 462 votes.
• Ram Singh secured the Kolong ward seat with 703 votes, defeating Chhering Samphel, who received 486 votes.

The victories have been viewed as a positive sign for the Congress, reflecting strong support in multiple parts of the district.

BJP Holds Ground with Three Important Wins

Despite facing stiff competition, BJP-backed candidates managed to secure victories in three wards:

• In Udaipur ward, Rub Dae (Rupa) won a nail-biting contest by just 14 votes, polling 1,051 votes against Mani Devi.
• Thuktan Dolma emerged victorious from Losar ward with 1,199 votes, defeating Padma Dikit, who secured 945 votes.
• In Kaza ward, Thile Dichen won with 860 votes, comfortably defeating Chhering Gatuk, who received 539 votes.

The BJP’s performance indicates that the party continues to maintain a significant presence in the district despite Congress securing more seats overall.

Independent Candidates Also Make Strong Impact

Independent candidates also left their mark on the elections.

• In Trilokinath ward, Ranjeet secured a convincing victory with 1,166 votes, defeating Budhi Chand, who polled 672 votes.
• Punam Devi won from Jahlama ward with 534 votes, defeating Anita, who received 419 votes.

Their victories highlight the importance of local leadership and grassroots support in district-level elections.

Read Also : Ashish Butail Leads Congress to Sole Civic Poll Victory in Himachal, Palampur Win Sparks Cabinet Buzz