As the five-year terms of seven municipal bodies in Haryana officially conclude, the state's major political parties, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are ramping up their preparations for the upcoming civic elections. The draw for reservation of mayoral seats, conducted on Thursday, has set the stage for these crucial local body polls, which are expected to be announced shortly by the election authorities.
Reservation Details and Electoral Landscape
The recent draw has reserved the Ambala mayoral seat for a woman from the backward classes, while the positions in Panchkula and Sonipat remain open to candidates from all categories. Additionally, the Rewari municipal council president's post has been earmarked for a Scheduled Caste woman, and Uklana's for a general category woman. The posts in Sampla and Dharuhera remain unreserved, adding to the diverse electoral dynamics across these regions.
Key Municipal Bodies and Their Significance
The elections will encompass three municipal corporations—Panchkula, Ambala, and Sonipat—along with the Municipal Council of Rewari, and the municipal committees of Sampla in Rohtak district, Dharuhera in Rewari district, and Uklana in Hisar district. These bodies play a pivotal role in local governance, influencing urban development and public services in their respective areas.
Haryana BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli announced on Friday that the party has appointed two in-charges for each of these municipal bodies, including seven state ministers, to oversee campaign strategies and outreach efforts. This move underscores the BJP's commitment to securing a strong foothold in these local elections.
Congress's Optimism and Historical Context
On the other side, Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh expressed confidence that the party would receive a warm response from the electorate in the upcoming polls. Reflecting on the previous civic elections held in December 2020, the Congress managed to clinch the Sonipat mayoral seat, while the BJP faced challenges in Panchkula. The Haryana Jan Chetna Party (JCP), led by former Union Minister Venod Sharma, secured the Ambala mayoral post, marking a significant milestone as direct elections for mayors were introduced in these three cities for the first time.
In other outcomes from the 2020 polls, the BJP won the Rewari civic body chief's post, and an independent candidate backed by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda emerged victorious in Sampla. The JJP, however, encountered setbacks with losses in Uklana and Dharuhera.
Political Shifts and Recent Developments
The political landscape in Haryana has witnessed notable shifts in recent years. Ahead of the October 2024 Assembly polls, Nikhil Madaan, the then Sonipat mayor and a Congress leader, joined the BJP and subsequently won the Sonipat Assembly seat. Similarly, Shakti Rani Sharma, who served as mayor of Ambala under the Haryana Jan Chetna Party banner, also switched allegiance to the BJP and secured the Kalka Assembly seat. These defections significantly bolstered the BJP's position, contributing to its third-consecutive term in state government.
BJP's Dominance in Recent Municipal Polls
In the municipal elections held in March 2025, the BJP consolidated its dominance by winning nine out of ten mayoral contests. The party's candidates triumphed in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak, Panipat, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar, with only Manesar going to an independent candidate. This round included elections in seven municipal corporations—Gurgaon, Manesar, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, and Yamunanagar—alongside bypolls for the mayoral posts in Ambala and Sonipat.
As the terms of the current municipal bodies have expired, with the last elections conducted in December 2020, the upcoming polls are poised to be a critical test for both the Congress and the BJP. The outcomes will not only shape local governance but also influence the broader political trajectory in Haryana, setting the tone for future electoral battles.
