Shimla, August 10: Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched a sharp attack on the Congress government over the delay in holding elections for the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Shimla Zila Parishad.
Thakur alleged that the Congress, having failed to secure the mandate, was now using the administrative machinery to delay the formation of the elected body. He questioned why the election was not held on June 6 when all 25 elected members were present and had taken oath.
“Once the entire House was present, the quorum was complete and the members had taken oath, why were the elections not held? Whose phone call was the administration waiting for? Under whose political pressure was the statutory process stopped?” Thakur asked.
He said 13 elected Zila Parishad members have now been forced to approach the Himachal Pradesh High Court seeking directions for an immediate statutory meeting to elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson.
According to Thakur, the Panchayati Raj Act requires the elected members to proceed with the election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson after taking oath. He said the June 6 meeting was convened after a notice issued by the Shimla Deputy Commissioner on June 3, but the election was deferred without any clear reason being given.
Repeated meetings, but no election
Thakur said the delay continued despite subsequent meetings. A notice issued on June 20 scheduled another meeting for June 27, but the election process was again not completed. Another notice issued on July 20 fixed August 3 for the election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson.
“How many meetings does an elected institution need to elect its leadership? The people have already given their verdict, the representatives have been elected and sworn in, yet the government continues to prolong the process,” he said.
‘Administration being used as a political tool’
The Leader of Opposition alleged that the Congress was attempting to use administrative delays to create opportunities for political manoeuvring where it did not have the numbers.
“Governments do not create the mandate; the people give the mandate. The administration cannot be used to delay the will of elected representatives or buy time for political manipulation,” Thakur said.
He also questioned the role of the district administration, saying government officers were accountable to the Constitution and the law and not to any political party or individual leader.
High Court verdict leaves no room for excuses
Thakur also referred to the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s August 6 judgment in CWP No. 11710/2026, Ankush Indoria vs State Election Commission & Others, concerning the delayed election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson of Panchayat Samiti Indora.
He said the judgment makes it clear that the functioning of elected local bodies cannot be indefinitely stalled because of administrative inaction or interference.
“When the High Court’s judgment is clear, the law is clear and the elected members are in place, what is the government waiting for? Will every Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti now have to approach the High Court to elect its chairperson?” he asked.
‘13 members approaching court is a serious indictment’
Thakur said the fact that 13 elected members had to approach the High Court seeking a mandamus for completion of the election process was itself a serious reflection on the government’s functioning.
He said the petition has sought the original records relating to the meetings and notices issued on June 3, June 6, June 20, June 27, July 20 and August 3, besides seeking examination of the reasons for repeatedly postponing the election.
“This is a deeply unfortunate situation. People elect their representatives, the representatives take oath, and then those same elected members have to approach the court simply to exercise their right to elect their own leadership,” Thakur said.
‘Delay is affecting Shimla’s development’
Thakur said the issue was not merely political. The Zila Parishad is an important component of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system and plays a key role in planning, coordinating and monitoring development works at the district level.
He alleged that keeping the elected institution without a chairperson and vice-chairperson was ultimately affecting development and welfare activities in rural and remote areas of Shimla district.
‘Hold the election and face the mandate’
Thakur urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to stop hiding behind the administration and immediately complete the election process.
“If Congress has the numbers, let it hold the election and elect its chairperson. If it does not have the numbers, it must respect the people’s mandate,” he said.
He demanded that the government announce a clear date, time and venue for the election of the Shimla Zila Parishad chairperson and vice-chairperson and complete the statutory process without further delay.
“Now there can be no excuses, political pressure or administrative procrastination. The mandate of the people cannot be buried in files, and the rights of elected representatives cannot be suspended indefinitely through administrative orders,” Thakur said.
