The political battle for the Municipal Corporation elections in Mandi district has intensified sharply with rebel candidates from both the BJP and Congress refusing to withdraw their nominations despite repeated warnings from party leaderships. The open defiance has transformed several wards into unpredictable multi-cornered contests, raising concerns within both camps over division of traditional vote banks.
The Congress is facing major internal trouble in Talyahar and Khaliyar wards. In Talyahar, party rebel Akash Sharma decided to remain in the fray despite pressure from the leadership. In Khaliyar ward, sitting councillor Alaknanda Handa also refused to step aside, directly challenging the party’s official line. Their stand came even after Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Vinay Kumar issued stern warnings to dissidents, exposing deep factionalism within the party ahead of the civic polls.
The BJP too is grappling with rebellion in Palace Colony-1 and Bhagwan Mohalla wards. In Bhagwan Mohalla, BJP rebel Anil Kumar, husband of sitting Deputy Mayor Madhuri Kapoor, continued campaigning against the party’s official nominee. Another rebel candidate, Chander Shekhar Vaidya, also stayed in the contest, making the ward witness a triangular political fight.
In Palace Colony-1 ward, BJP rebel Pushpa Thakur similarly ignored directions from BJP state president Rajeev Bindal and refused to withdraw her candidature.
Political observers believe the rebels could significantly alter the electoral outcome by splitting votes of both major parties in crucial wards. The dissidence has added uncertainty to the election and is expected to play a decisive role in determining the final results.
Meanwhile, residents of Behna ward have announced a boycott of the Municipal Corporation elections over unresolved local issues. Consequently, polling will now take place in 14 wards of the Mandi Municipal Corporation.
