Himachal urban poll results reflect public confidence in Congress; party united with no groupism, says CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday, May 21, 2026, termed the victory of majority of Congress-backed candidates in the recent urban local body elections as a medium-term stamp of public approval on the party’s leadership and governance.

“Congress-backed candidates won in 26 of the 48 municipal bodies in the state, proving that the people have full confidence in the Congress government’s policies and welfare programmes. For a government that comes to power in 2022, sustaining popularity through civic elections is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the anti-incumbency pressures that typically occur after being in office. The encouraging results suggest that a pro-incumbency factor is working in favor of the Congress,” Mr. Sukhu said. Hindu Thursday (May 21, 2026).

“The win shows people’s faith in the good government and good governance of the Congress party. More importantly, there is no factionalism in the party and party workers and leaders are working together. These elections are just a teaser ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Congress will repeat its government in the hill state as people have confidence in the government’s strong delivery-oriented performance in education, health and rural economy, among other sectors,” he said.

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Prime Minister said, “BJP’s anti-Himachal stance has been exposed time and time again. The BJP has neither sided with the people on stopping the Income Deficit Grant, nor fought for the interests of the state during natural disasters, and has equally failed to raise its voice on the withdrawal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act issue,” and added: “The people of Himachal understand all this.”

He said the Congress party has fulfilled all its promises in the 2022 Assembly elections and has gone beyond its assurances in fulfilling its commitments. “Many programs for the welfare of women, laborers and the marginalized sections of society have been initiated and implemented effectively. Significant reforms have also been made in the field of education and health and positive results are visible.”