In a dramatic turn of events, the BJP-backed candidate Thakur Dass Sharma was elected president of the Parwanoo Municipal Council (MC) through a draw of lots, while the Congress-supported candidate Mohan Lal Azad secured the vice-president’s post in the same manner. The election results, announced on July 9, 2026, ended a decade-long wait for the BJP, which had faced defeats in the last two municipal elections.
Close Contest Leads to Draw of Lots
The nine-member House was evenly split after the polls, with BJP-backed candidates winning five seats and Congress-backed candidates securing four. However, the Congress gained an additional vote from Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri, bringing both parties to a tie with five votes each. This deadlock forced the election for the two top posts to be decided by a draw of lots. In the draw, luck favored the BJP, with Thakur Dass Sharma elected president, while Congress candidate Mohan Lal Azad was chosen as vice-president.
BJP’s Strategic Move
The BJP’s success was attributed to its efforts to bring Thakur Dass Sharma, a former Congress-supported president, into its fold. Sharma was pitted against Congress-supported Nisha Sharma, who had previously switched from the BJP in the 2021 elections. The BJP’s strategy of roping in Sharma helped it secure a majority in the House, marking a significant comeback after a decade.
Congress Secures Vice-President Post
For the vice-president’s post, the BJP fielded Ram Dhyan Singh, while the Congress supported Mohan Lal Azad. The draw of lots favored Azad, allowing the Congress to claim a victory in the civic body. This outcome came shortly after the BJP had captured the Nalagarh MC, highlighting the competitive political landscape in the region.
Historical Context
The election of a BJP-backed candidate as president of the Parwanoo Municipal Council is notable as it is the first time in ten years that the party has held this position. The last two elections had seen the BJP suffer defeats, making this victory a crucial milestone for the party in local governance.
