The Winter Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly witnessed intense political drama as the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party launched a sharp attack on the Congress government over the delayed elections to local bodies. The BJP moved an adjournment motion accusing the state government of undermining democratic institutions.
BJP's Constitutional Challenge
On the opening day of the eight-day Winter Session on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, senior BJP leaders including MLAs Randhir Sharma, Surender Shourie, and Jeet Ram Katwal moved an adjournment motion under Rule 67. The motion specifically targeted the government's failure to conduct elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania admitted the motion and deferred all other listed business, including Question Hour, to allow for an immediate debate on this crucial issue. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu responded by stating that the government had "no objection" to a discussion but insisted that the debate should be strictly fact-based.
Allegations of Constitutional Mockery
Initiating the debate, BJP leader Randhir Sharma launched a scathing attack on the Congress government, accusing it of being in "conflict" with the State Election Commission. He dramatically claimed that the government was "mocking the Constitution" by deliberately delaying the local body elections.
"A senior Congress leader always used to hold the Constitution in his hands while taking out foot marches across the country to 'save the Constitution'. But here in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government itself is making a mockery of it," Sharma stated, in an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The BJP leader further alleged that the government was "manipulating the delimitation process" to favor its local leaders. He claimed that some Congress functionaries were pressuring government officials to alter village and ward boundaries to ensure their electoral victory.
Government's Response and Counter-Arguments
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sharply rejected the allegations and provided clarifications regarding the government's position. He specifically addressed concerns about a proposed government event in Mandi, stating, "I would like to state in the House that we are not holding any celebration in Mandi on the completion of three years of our government. We will only be presenting our government's vision."
Sharma had earlier taunted the government about the Mandi event, questioning why the government would choose a district that was "the worst-affected during the 2025 natural disaster" for such functions if the disaster situation hadn't improved.
The BJP leader also challenged the government's use of the natural disaster as justification for delaying Gram Panchayat elections. He revealed that the State Election Commission had begun preparations for holding panchayat and urban local body elections in May 2025, but the government intervened to stall the process.
The Winter Session, which began on November 26, will continue until December 5, with this debate setting the tone for what promises to be a contentious legislative meeting. The Chief Minister has promised to provide detailed responses to all Opposition concerns at the conclusion of the debate.
