The BJP faction led by former MLA Arjun Thakur secured the chairman and vice-chairman positions in the Block Development Committee (BDC) elections for the Jawali Assembly constituency on Thursday. The victories came as both the Congress party and the official BJP faction, led by Sanjay Guleria, failed to garner support from the newly elected BDC members.
Election Results and Key Winners
BJP-backed candidates Rajinder Singh and Madan Lal, both supporters of Arjun Thakur, were elected chairman and vice-chairman of the BDC, respectively. The election proceedings, held in Jawali, required a quorum of 14 members out of a total of 26 newly elected BDC members. Congress supporters and loyalists of Guleria abstained from the election process, which paved the way for Thakur's camp to claim victory.
Background of Political Rivalry
Arjun Thakur won the 2017 Assembly election on a BJP ticket by defeating Congress stalwart Chander Kumar by a margin of 8,213 votes. However, he was denied a party ticket in the 2022 Assembly election. Instead, Sanjay Guleria, his arch-rival, was given the BJP ticket from Jawali but lost to Chander Kumar, who currently serves as the state's Agriculture Minister.
Thakur's Growing Influence
Earlier, three out of four Zila Parishad wards in the Jawali Assembly constituency were also won by Thakur's supporters, further consolidating his influence in the region. Arjun Thakur, who arrived in Jawali after the election concluded, hailed the victory of the BJP-backed candidates, calling it a testament to their grassroots support.
Implications for Local Politics
The abstention of Congress and Guleria's loyalists from the election process highlights the deep divisions within the local political landscape. The victory of Thakur's faction strengthens his position as a key political figure in the constituency, potentially setting the stage for future electoral contests. The development also underscores the ongoing power struggle within the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, as factions vie for control ahead of upcoming elections.
