Shimla, June 15, 2026: In a significant political development in Himachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a major inroad into the Congress stronghold of Rohru Assembly constituency, with 31 Congress leaders and workers joining the BJP. The induction ceremony was held at the BJP state headquarters, Deep Kamal, Chakkar, where BJP State General Secretary Sanjiv Katwal formally welcomed the new entrants into the party.
The event was attended by BJP State General Secretary Payal Vaidya, State Secretary Sanjay Thakur, Pramod Thakur, Sanjiv, and Rohru Mandal President Vijay Mehta. Party leaders extended a warm welcome to the new members and expressed confidence that the BJP’s influence in the region would continue to grow.
According to Sanjiv Katwal, those joining the BJP include BDC member Ritu Kumari from Lower Koti-Ghupadi and Deputy Pradhan Harry Gesta of Munshda-Bagi Panchayat, along with several Congress office-bearers and active workers. He said the growing exodus from Congress reflects public dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s policies and organizational failures.
Addressing the media, Katwal accused the Congress government of using pressure tactics during and after Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections to influence democratic processes. He alleged that elected representatives, including Pradhans, Deputy Pradhans, and Councillors, along with their families, are facing administrative pressure, false cases, and threats of transfers and official action.
Despite these challenges, Katwal claimed that public representatives are choosing to align with the BJP due to their faith in the party’s ideology and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described the induction of 31 Congress members from Rohru as a clear indication of growing public dissatisfaction with the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh.
Katwal further stated that the Modi-led central government has transformed governance over the past 12 years through welfare initiatives, healthcare reforms, infrastructure development, and pro-poor schemes. He asserted that these policies have strengthened public trust in the BJP across the state.
Referring to recent municipal corporation elections, Katwal highlighted BJP’s success in securing clear majorities in three out of four municipal corporations. He accused the Congress of attempting to influence democratic mandates through misuse of power and expressed confidence that BJP-backed candidates would emerge as Mayors and Deputy Mayors wherever the party enjoys majority support.
Responding to criticism from Congress regarding the recent Himachal visit of Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and senior BJP leader Jagat Prakash Nadda, Katwal said the Union Minister had clearly outlined the Centre’s continued financial and developmental support to Himachal Pradesh. He accused Congress of misleading the public through misinformation campaigns.
Katwal maintained that public confidence in the Congress government is rapidly declining and claimed that the political landscape of Himachal Pradesh is shifting in favour of the BJP. He said the support received by the BJP in local body elections and the increasing number of Congress-backed representatives joining the party signal a changing political tide in the state.
Among those who joined the BJP are Deputy Pradhan Harry Gesta of Munshda-Bagi Panchayat, BDC member Ritu Kumari of Lower Koti-Ghupadi, Ashok Kumar, Ratna Chand, Chandra Singh, Yashpal Jagta, Shamsher, Shashi Pal, Kushal Chauhan, Manish Thakur, Shyam Lal, Pradeep Negi, Vivesh Dulta, Aman Negi, Jatin Negi, Rakesh Negi, Manish Rotla, Pradeep Ghetta, Ashish Chauhan, Joginder Rotla, Sudhir, Satyam, Pankaj, Saurabh, Manish, Lokendra, Suresh, Dhruv Negi, Ranveer, and Virender.
