Shimla, May 3 -- With the nominations process for the first phase of urban local bodies (ULB) polls, to be held on May 17, closing on Saturday, both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have exuded confidence, sharpening their strategies as the campaign gathers pace.

A total 1,426 candidates have filed nominations for polls of 51 urban local bodies and 4 municipal corporations.

Kangra recorded the highest number of nominations with 269 candidates filing their papers. District-wise, 214 nominations were filed in Mandi, 167 in Shimla, 96 in Bilaspur, 113 in Chamba, 55 in Hamirpur, 125 in Kullu, 92 in Sirmaur, 158 in Solan, and 137 in Una.

Terming these civic body polls as semi-final ahead of 2024 assembly polls, Himachal Pradesh Con...