Shimla, Sept. 10 -- The BJP on Thursday wrested control of the Shimla Zila Parishad from the Congress after nearly 26 years, in a significant setback for the ruling party ahead of next year's Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
BJP-backed Bhupendra Singh Sisodia and Bharat Singh Kalanta were elected chairperson and vice-chairperson, respectively, with the support of four Independents.
Sisodia secured 13 votes, defeating his rival by one vote, while Kalanta polled 14 votes. The 25-member House has 11 BJP members, 10 from the Congress and four Independents, making the latter crucial to the outcome.
The election was held after a prolonged delay following the declaration of local body results on May 31. BJP members had approached the High Court over the delay, following which the election was conducted.
Sisodia alleged that the state government had deliberately delayed the process and said BJP members had to approach the court to get a date fixed.
Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur described the result as a "victory for democracy" and criticised Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, alleging attempts were made to influence the mandate.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.