Deputy Commissioner Reports Encroachments by BJP Councillors Ahead of Solan Mayoral Poll
Two days before the mayoral election in the Solan Municipal Corporation (MC), the Deputy Commissioner (DC) has flagged encroachments by two BJP councillors to the Divisional Commissioner in Shimla. The move seeks their disqualification under legal provisions, which would reduce the BJP's strength in the MC from 10 to eight councillors.
The Congress, holding only six seats, is attempting to tilt the balance by securing the local MLA's vote and an Independent councillor who is a BJP rebel. The mayoral election is scheduled for June 29, 2026.
Details of Encroachment Cases Against BJP Councillors
According to the DC's report, BJP councillor Rohit Bhardwaj from Ward No. 4 is receiving rental income from a commercial structure built on land owned by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The structure in Solan's Salogra area housed a licensed vend in the 2025-26 financial year. The report adds that his paternal aunt leased the vend to a liquor contractor in the current financial year.
In the second case, BJP councillor Rekha Sahni's mother-in-law has been identified as an encroacher on 25 square meters of government land in Jawahar Park, where a residential structure stands. The land belongs to the Public Works Department. Congress candidate Satya Verma had filed a complaint about the encroachment on May 5, but the SDM rejected it for lack of supporting documents.
Political Reactions and Disqualification Process
BJP leaders have termed the development unfair, questioning the scrutiny conducted by the SDM-cum-Assistant Returning Officer during Rekha Sahni's nomination examination. The Divisional Commissioner was designated as the competent authority to decide councillor disqualification cases on June 23, leading to the Congress government's efforts to secure both mayor and deputy mayor posts despite lacking a majority.
However, even if two BJP councillors are disqualified and the Independent supports Congress, the party would still fall short of the nine-seat majority. In that scenario, the mayor would be elected by drawing lots.
Procedural Changes and Election Preparations
All 17 councillors received notices on June 28 to hold the mayoral poll on June 29, though the DC had issued orders on June 24. This followed the DC's report to the Divisional Commissioner. Initially, councillors were to be administered the oath on June 29. The fresh notification directs both parties to appoint authorized agents in Form-51 before the poll, a provision introduced by the Urban Development Department in August 2024 to prevent cross-voting during the mid-term mayoral election in Solan.
