Jairam Thakur Claims Congress Facing Rout in Panchayat Polls, Questions Sukhu Government’s Performance

Mandi, May 29: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Thursday claimed that the Congress party was facing a major setback in the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh and alleged that growing public dissatisfaction with the state government was reflected in the poll results.

Reacting to the second phase of Panchayat election results, Thakur said the strong performance of BJP-backed candidates across rural areas indicated declining public confidence in the Congress government. He alleged that the Sukhu-led administration had failed to deliver on its promises and had stalled development works across the state during its three-and-a-half-year tenure.

The BJP leader claimed that public anger over increased taxes, closure of institutions and what he termed as poor governance had contributed to the party’s electoral gains. He also alleged that the government was attempting to influence public perception by presenting misleading figures regarding election outcomes.

Referring to results from his home constituency of Seraj, Thakur claimed that BJP-supported candidates secured victories in 24 out of 26 panchayats in the second phase, following victories in 25 out of 28 panchayats during the first phase. He described the outcome as a strong endorsement of BJP’s development agenda in rural Himachal.

Thakur further alleged that several senior Congress leaders and ministers had failed to secure support for their preferred candidates in their respective areas, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among voters.

During the day, the former Chief Minister met newly elected representatives of Lehthach Panchayat in Seraj and congratulated them on their victory. He urged them to work with dedication and transparency for the holistic development of their villages and strengthen grassroots governance. The celebrations also included traditional cultural festivities, with newly elected representatives participating in a Nati dance to mark their success.

According to Thakur, the Panchayati Raj election results indicate a shift in public mood and growing support for BJP-backed candidates across several parts of the state.