The polling is scheduled for May 17 and the electoral battle is steadily taking shape. In all, 21 nominations have been filed, including 11 women candidates, reflecting a notable rise in their participation in politics. Among the candidates is Sunita Kumari from Ward No. 3, who had held the council presidency for three consecutive terms.
The current elections carry far bigger political stakes than the previous ones. As Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, represents the Dehra Assembly constituency, the Congress is under mounting pressure to engineer a turnaround in a traditionally unfriendly terrain. A slew of developmental works at present underway in the town has injected fresh energy into the party’s campaign, adding to the heightened political buzz.
The BJP, meanwhile, is confident of maintaining its dominance. Malkiat Parmar, who had twice served as the vice-president of the Municipal Council during terms reserved for women in 2016 and 2021, asserted that the party is “all set to retain the council with a thumping majority”.
The Congress is equally upbeat. Former Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Director Sunil Kashyap says that the town is poised for a “reversal in favour of the Congress”. He cites development works and a united leadership as never seen before to support his argument.
As both parties intensify their campaigns, voters in Dehra are headed towards a decisive contest, one that may either reaffirm the BJP’s decade-long grip or mark the beginning of a political shift.
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