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Himachal civic body polls: All Baihna ward candidates withdraw nominations
All four candidates from Ward No 14, Baihna, withdrew their nomination papers on May 6, 2026, leaving no candidate in the fray and delaying the May 17 voting. The withdrawal followed local protests over Baihna’s panchayat status and demands for reverting to panchayat governance; similar moves occurred in Douhandi Ward No 15, with one Congress candidate absent. In Sirmaur, three panchayats were elected unopposed, and the government increased grants for unopposed panchayats.
Why It Matters
The unprecedented withdrawal of all Baihna candidates could derail local elections and amplify debates over municipal governance status and taxation. It also signals electoral and administrative attention to residents' demands in Himachal Pradesh.
Timeline
5 Events
Grant raised for unopposed panchayats
May 7, 2026
The state government increased the financial grant for panchayats elected unopposed from ₹10 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs this time.
Panchayats in Sirmaur elected unopposed
May 7, 2026
Three panchayats in Sirmaur—Tatiyan, Daro Devariya, and Sheena—have so far been elected unopposed, with villagers agreeing to elect the entire body unopposed for the second consecutive term.
Congress candidate absence criticized by Jai Ram Thakur
May 6, 2026
Former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur criticized the Congress candidates' absence, saying the party insulted voters' sentiments in Douhandi ward and that residents will respond in the upcoming polls. He alleged the Congress is acting in duplicitous manner.
Douhandi Ward No 15 BJP candidates withdraw nominations
May 6, 2026
BJP candidates from Ward No 15 — Douhandi — also withdrew their nominations. However, the Congress candidate left the premises at the last moment, preventing a unanimous withdrawal.
Baihna Ward No 14 candidates withdraw nominations
May 6, 2026
All four candidates from Ward No 14 — BJP's Gurbachan Singh, Congress's Dhandev, independents Krishna Bhanu and Mansa Singh — arrived together at the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) office in Nerchowk and submitted their nomination withdrawals. SDM Balh, Samritika Negi confirmed the development, stating there is no candidate in fray and voting cannot be held on May 17; the state election commission has been informed. The move followed continuous meetings by villagers urging restoration of Baihna's panchayat status amid tax burdens and lack of urban amenities since inclusion in the municipal corporation.