In a significant political development, Independent councillor from Ward No. 3, Asha Thakur, was elected chairperson of the Kullu Municipal Council (MC) on Thursday, securing a decisive victory in the election. Thakur defeated Pushpa Devi, an Independent councillor from Ward No. 1 representing the rival camp, by eight votes to three in the 11-member council.
The election was conducted under the supervision of Kullu Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Nishant Thakur, who confirmed that the proceedings were peaceful. Ten councillors participated in the voting, while local MLA Sunder Singh Thakur also exercised his voting right, taking the total number of votes cast to 11.
For the post of vice-chairperson, Independent councillor from Ward No. 8, Shalini Rai Bharadwaj, was elected unopposed after her sole rival, Rahul Kaushal of Ward No. 11, withdrew his nomination. Her election reflected a consensus among council members and ensured a smooth transition in the council’s leadership.
Speaking to the media after her victory, Asha Thakur pledged to address the city’s pressing civic issues. “We will make every effort to resolve the problems faced by residents, whether related to waste management or any other civic concern,” she said. She emphasised the importance of working collectively with councillors from all wards to ensure balanced and comprehensive development across the town.
Thakur also thanked the councillors who supported her candidature, noting that both she and vice-chairperson Shalini Rai Bharadwaj had sought cooperation from all members of the council despite contesting as Independents.
Echoing similar sentiments, Shalini Rai Bharadwaj said the new council would prioritise civic development and public welfare. “The councillors have chosen development over inducements, and we will work together to deliver better governance for the city,” she said.
The election took place amid recent political realignments within the municipal council. During the oath-taking ceremony on June 11, six councillors — including one BJP-backed candidate, several Independents, and two Congress-backed members — took oath alongside MLA Sunder Singh Thakur. The council has witnessed shifting alliances in recent weeks, with former HPMC Chairman Ram Singh playing a key role in consolidating support across different political groups.
With the new leadership in place, the Kullu Municipal Council is expected to focus on addressing developmental challenges through collective decision-making and cooperation among councillors. The election outcome is being viewed as a mandate for improved civic governance and a renewed focus on issues affecting residents of Kullu.
