BJP wins three municipal corporations in Himachal Pradesh, huge setback for Congress

The ruling Congress on Sunday suffered a huge setback in Himachal Pradesh ahead of next year's assembly elections after it lost three out of the four municipal corporations to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the local body polls, which were held on May 17.

According to the State Election Commission (SEC) of Himachal Pradesh, the saffron party registered victories in Mandi, Dharamshala and Solan municipal corporations, while the grand old party won only the Palampur civic body.

Of the 15 wards in Mandi, the



BJP won 12 while the Congress secured just one, as the other wards went to independent candidates. In Solan, which has 17 wards, the Congress managed to just six, as the BJP bagged 10 wards. One ward, though, was won by an independent candidate.

In Dharamshala, which also has 17 wards, the ruling party managed to register wins on five wards, while the BJP won 11 seats. One ward was won by an independent candidate. The Congress also bagged the Palampur Municipal Corporation, winning 11 out of the 15 wards. The BJP won just four wards here.