The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has constituted fact-finding committees to look into its defeat in the recently held Municipal Corporation elections. Out of the four MCs that went to the polls, the Congress lost in Mandi, Dharamsala and Solan. The Congress, however, won the Palampur MC with a thumping majority.
State Congress chief Vinay Kumar has asked the committees to review and assess the results of Mandi, Dharamsala and Solan MC elections and examine all relevant aspects related to the results. The committees have been further directed to interact with party workers and local leadership to identify the factors that influenced the election results. The committees have been asked to submit their report to within a week.
For the Congress, the results of MC elections, which were fought on party symbols and were being seen as the semifinal ahead of the Assembly elections next year, came as a setback. Following its good showing in the elections of 47 Municipal Councils and Nagar Parishads, the party seemed confident of doing well in the Municipal Corporation elections as well. That was not to be as the BJP bounced back and secured thumping wins in Mandi and Dharamsala and a comfortable win in Solan. The party had a good chance in Solan but it failed to handle some internal issues that led to the defeat.
Besides, the HPCC has formed committees for the formation of ZPs in Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Kangra and Shimla. The Congress is hopeful of securing a majority to have its Zila Parishad chairmen in these districts.
