Despite Congress-backed candidates securing control of the Nurpur Municipal Council (MC) by winning six of the nine wards, the party leadership failed to capitalise on this advantage in the Block Development Committee (BDC) elections. It neither made significant efforts to win BDC seats nor contested the elections for the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson, leaving the field open for the BJP to take control of the rural body and secure its top positions.
Local MLA Ranbir Singh Nikka played a key role in the formation of the BJP-backed Nurpur BDC. He successfully mobilised support for BJP-backed candidates, who went on to win the elections held recently. Two nominations were filed for the post of chairperson and three for vice-chairperson. BJP-backed candidate Raksha Devi secured 19 of the 25 votes to become chairperson, while another BJP supporter, Rakesh Kaul, won the vice-chairperson’s post with 14 votes. Nurpur SDM Arun Sharma officially declared both candidates elected.
In the neighbouring Fatehpur Development Block, Congress-backed candidates won both the chairperson and vice-chairperson posts. Anita Kumari secured 16 of the 27 votes cast to become chairperson, while Kulwant Singh won the vice-chairperson’s post with the same number of votes. Their rival candidates received 11 votes each in the election conducted under the supervision of SDM Vishrut Bharti. Local MLA and Vice-Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Planning Board, Bhawani Singh Pathania, congratulated the newly elected BDC office-bearers.
