Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suman Thakur, a close associate of former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, was unanimously elected as the Mayor of the Mandi Municipal Corporation (MC) on Monday. BJP councillor Jitender Sharma, known popularly as 'Jony', secured the Deputy Mayor post in a smooth election process following the party's overwhelming majority in the civic body.
Oath-Taking and Election Process
The election proceedings began immediately after the oath-taking ceremony for the 14 newly elected councillors. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan administered the oath of office in the presence of BJP MLAs Anil Sharma (Mandi Sadar), Inder Singh Gandhi (Balh), Puran Chand Thakur (Darang), and Mandi Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rohit Rathour. Following the ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner allotted ten minutes for the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. With a commanding majority in the house, the BJP ensured the smooth election of its candidates to both top posts.
BJP's Landslide Victory in Municipal Polls
In the recently concluded Mandi Municipal Corporation elections, the BJP secured a massive mandate by winning 12 out of the 14 wards. The Congress party managed to win only two seats. Elections could not be held in the Behna ward after local residents boycotted the polling process. This decisive victory gave the BJP an unassailable majority, paving the way for the unanimous election of its candidates.
Suman Thakur's Political Journey
Suman Thakur's elevation to the Mayor's post marks another significant milestone in her long political career. A dedicated grassroots leader and core BJP worker, she has previously served as president of the BJP Mahila Morcha and as chairperson of the erstwhile Mandi Municipal Council. She has now been elected to the urban local body for the fifth consecutive term, reflecting her strong support base among the electorate. Her journey to the Mayor's office has not been without setbacks. During the previous Municipal Corporation elections, she was considered a strong contender for the Mayor's post, but the BJP leadership chose Virender Bhatt at the last minute, disappointing her supporters. This time too, the contest for the Mayor's post remained uncertain until the final stages, but she ultimately won the confidence of the party leadership.
Deputy Mayor Jitender Sharma
Jitender Sharma, another BJP councillor, was elected Deputy Mayor, further consolidating the party's control over the civic body. Both leaders have been congratulated by former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, along with BJP MLAs Anil Sharma, Inder Singh Gandhi, and Puran Chand Thakur. They expressed confidence that the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor would work towards the overall development of Mandi city and fulfil the aspirations of its residents.
Development Focus Ahead
With the BJP enjoying a commanding majority in the Municipal Corporation, the newly elected leadership is expected to focus on strengthening civic infrastructure, improving public services, and accelerating urban development projects in the historic town of Mandi. The party's strong mandate provides a stable platform for implementing its development agenda.
