“No Room for Administrative Delay in Democracy”: Jairam Thakur on Zila Parishad Polls

Shimla, August 11: Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has welcomed the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s directions for expediting the election process for the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Shimla Zila Parishad, while sharply criticising the state government over the delay.

Thakur alleged that the Congress government was disregarding the democratic mandate and constitutional principles to avoid facing an unfavourable political outcome. He claimed that Congress had failed to field candidates for Zila Parishad leadership positions in nine of the ten districts where the process has been completed.

Referring to the recent **Ankush Indoria case (CWP No. 11710 of 2026)**, Thakur said the High Court had made it clear that elections to the posts of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson cannot be kept pending indefinitely through administrative action. He alleged that the government was still attempting to delay elections to Zila Parishads and Block Samitis.

Thakur further claimed that in the 92 Block Samitis, BJP-supported candidates had secured 51 Chairperson and 54 Vice-Chairperson positions, while Congress-supported candidates had won 29 and 25 respectively. He alleged that elections in eight Block Samitis were yet to be finalised.

He accused the government of repeatedly approaching the courts over local-body elections and said the BJP would continue to defend the rights of elected representatives through constitutional and democratic means.

Samagra Sikhsha