Shimla: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of attempting to manipulate the upcoming urban local body and Panchayati Raj elections by altering existing rules. State BJP President Rajeev Bindal alleged that the Congress government is seeking to “hijack” the democratic process and gain undue political advantage through these rule changes, which he described as an attack on democracy and the Constitution.
The allegations stem from a notification issued on May 27, which, according to the BJP, amended the Municipal Election Rules. This amendment purportedly grants deputy commissioners discretionary authority to determine the timing of meetings for the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons. The BJP contends that this move undermines the established electoral process and could lead to political pressure and horse-trading.
Speaking to reporters, Bindal stated that the Congress government, under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has been consistently undermining democratic institutions and constitutional values. He claimed that the amendments, particularly those related to reservation rosters and the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, were introduced after the election process had already commenced, thereby violating established norms.
The BJP further alleged that the state government has been violating the model code of conduct through various means. This includes the alleged announcement of financial incentives for areas favouring the Congress and the provision of development funds during election rallies. These actions, the BJP claims, are aimed at influencing voters and ensuring favourable outcomes for Congress-backed candidates.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur echoed these sentiments, accusing the state government of attempting to weaken democratic institutions. He stated that the government had previously tried to delay panchayat elections but was unsuccessful due to court directives. Thakur also criticized the Chief Minister for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by announcing development grants during election rallies.
The BJP delegation, led by Bindal and Thakur, met with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to submit a memorandum highlighting their concerns. They urged the Governor to intervene and safeguard democratic values and ensure fair elections in Himachal Pradesh. The party claimed that the Congress government is resorting to these measures out of fear of an impending defeat in the local body elections, citing its own alleged victory in a significant number of seats in recent municipal polls.
Recent results from urban local body elections, though not contested on party symbols, have seen both the Congress and BJP claiming victory. The BJP asserted that its supported candidates secured a majority in many municipal councils and nagar panchayats, while the Congress claimed a win in a substantial number of civic bodies. The state BJP president questioned the Congress’s claims of victory, noting that the party had not officially declared its candidates, thus making its assertions misleading.
The BJP’s memorandum to the Governor also pointed out that the process related to local bodies was to be completed by May 31 as per Supreme Court directions. However, despite elections to municipal bodies being held, the elections for chairpersons and vice-chairpersons were allegedly postponed, which the party views as a maneuver to politically safeguard the ruling party.
The Chenab Times News Desk