Congress Emerges as Largest Force in Lahaul-Spiti Zila Parishad Polls, Secures Four Seats.
Shimla:
The Congress has emerged as the single largest political force in the Zila Parishad elections of Lahaul and Spiti district, winning four out of the nine seats that went to polls and gaining a crucial advantage over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the strategically important tribal district.
The elections witnessed a closely fought contest, with the BJP securing three seats and Independent candidates capturing two seats. Although the elections were conducted without party symbols, the BJP had officially declared its supported candidates, while the Congress chose not to field candidates under an official party banner, making the outcome particularly significant for the party.
The results are being viewed as a major morale booster for the Congress, which managed to secure the highest number of seats despite facing stiff competition from both BJP-backed candidates and influential independents. Political observers believe the outcome reflects the electorate’s preference for local leadership and grassroots engagement in the district.
Adding an interesting dimension to the elections, polling did not take place in the Sagnam Zila Parishad ward, where local residents boycotted the electoral process over unresolved local issues, highlighting persistent concerns regarding development and governance in certain parts of the district.
Congress Registers Strong Performance
Among the notable victories for Congress-supported candidates, Suresh Kumar delivered a decisive win from the Warpa ward, polling 603 votes and comfortably defeating Ratan Lal, who secured 270 votes.
In one of the most closely watched contests, Shashi Kiran emerged victorious from the Keylong ward by a razor-thin margin of just 11 votes. She secured 562 votes against Sunita’s 551, underscoring the intensely competitive nature of the election.
Sonal Bodh Thakur recorded a convincing victory in the Sissu ward, securing 810 votes and defeating Sanjeev Kumar, who managed 462 votes. Meanwhile, Ram Singh strengthened the Congress tally by winning the Kolong seat with 703 votes, defeating Chhering Samphel, who polled 486 votes.
BJP Holds Ground with Three Important Wins
Despite finishing behind Congress in the overall tally, the BJP managed to retain a strong presence in the district by securing victories in three key wards.
In Udaipur, BJP-supported candidate Rub Dae alias Rupa won one of the closest contests of the election, securing 1,051 votes and defeating Mani Devi by a narrow margin of just 14 votes.
Thuktan Dolma registered a comfortable victory in Losar ward with 1,199 votes against Padma Dikit’s 945 votes. In Kaza, Thile Dichen emerged victorious after polling 860 votes, defeating Chhering Gatuk, who received 539 votes.
Independents Leave Their Mark
Independent candidates also demonstrated their influence in the district’s political landscape. In Trilokinath ward, Ranjeet secured a convincing mandate with 1,166 votes, defeating Budhi Chand, who garnered 672 votes.
Similarly, Punam Devi claimed victory from Jahlama ward by polling 534 votes against Anita’s 419 votes, reinforcing the significance of individual leadership and local credibility in tribal politics.
Leaders React to Results
Reacting to the outcome, District Congress President Dorje Larje and Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana congratulated the victorious Congress-supported candidates and expressed gratitude to the electorate for placing its trust in the party’s vision and leadership.
They described the results as a reflection of growing public confidence in Congress policies and its commitment to addressing local concerns across the district.
On the other hand, BJP District President Rigzin Samphel Heyreppa maintained that the party had put up a strong fight and succeeded in winning three important seats despite facing tough contests in several constituencies. He expressed confidence that the BJP would continue strengthening its organisational network and public outreach in the district. BJP leader Ravi Thakur also congratulated the winner candidates of BJP.
Focus Shifts to Governance and Development
With the election process now complete, attention is expected to shift towards the formation of the new Zila Parishad and the developmental agenda of the elected representatives. Infrastructure development, connectivity, healthcare, tourism promotion and employment opportunities are likely to dominate discussions in the coming months as the newly elected members begin shaping the future course of governance in the remote tribal district.
The results once again underline the unique political character of Lahaul and Spiti, where local issues, community connect and individual leadership often play a more decisive role than party affiliations, making every election a closely watched democratic exercise.
