Ahead of the urban local body elections in Himachal Pradesh on May 17, both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have intensified their campaigns by releasing vision documents and manifestos for different municipal corporations.
The BJP released its vision documents for the municipal corporations of Solan, Dharamshala and Palampur, while the Congress announced its roadmap mainly for Solan city.
Both parties promised better civic facilities, improved infrastructure and long-term development plans for towns going to polls. Water supply, parking problems, sanitation, sewerage and tourism development remained the major focus areas in the election campaigns.
Political activity has increased sharply in Himachal Pradesh as leaders from both parties are holding rallies, public meetings and media interactions to attract voters before polling day.
In Dharamshala, BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma released the party’s vision document and said the BJP wants to develop Dharamshala into a modern, clean and world-class tourist city.
According to Sharma, the BJP’s document is not just an election manifesto but a long-term development plan for the entire municipal corporation area. He said the party aims to improve basic infrastructure and modernise traffic systems in the city.
One of the major promises made by the BJP in Dharamshala is the construction of smart parking facilities at 22 locations. Parking has remained a major problem in tourist towns of Himachal Pradesh, especially during peak tourist seasons.
The BJP also promised 24-hour drinking water supply and plans to build small dams on local streams and khads to improve water conservation and storage.
The party said these projects would help residents as well as tourists visiting the hill town.
In Palampur, BJP Lok Sabha MP Rajeev Bhardwaj and former Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar released the party’s manifesto.
The BJP leaders said their vision document was designed as a roadmap for the complete development of the municipal corporation.
The party announced plans to honour soldiers and martyrs by naming important entry gates of Palampur after them. BJP leaders also promised to construct a large Martyrs’ Memorial in memory of soldiers who died in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, as well as the Kargil conflict.
According to BJP leaders, the memorial would help future generations remember the sacrifices made by soldiers for the country.
In Solan, both the BJP and Congress released separate manifestos and strongly criticised each other’s performance.
BJP state president Rajeev Bindal attacked the Congress government and accused it of failing to provide basic facilities to people despite being in power at different levels.
Bindal said Congress leaders controlled the municipal corporation, had local MLAs and ministers, yet residents were still struggling with problems like water shortage, poor sanitation and lack of parking spaces.
He described the BJP’s manifesto as a detailed roadmap for the future development of Solan city.
The BJP promised to introduce modern door-to-door garbage collection systems in every ward. The party also proposed setting up a scientific waste management plant and digital monitoring systems for sanitation services.
According to the BJP, more sanitation workers would also be appointed to improve cleanliness in the city.
The party further promised clean and regular water supply for every household. It said special action plans would be introduced to stop water leakages and improve storage systems.
ALSO READ: Donald Trump to visit China after nearly nine years amid global tensions
ALSO READ: Trump-Xi meeting to focus on trade and global crises
The BJP also promised dedicated water tanks in every ward and expansion of the city’s sewerage network.
Parking facilities remained another important issue in the BJP manifesto. The party promised multi-level parking projects in crowded areas and separate parking arrangements for two-wheelers in busy markets.
The BJP also announced plans to create organised vending zones for street vendors. In addition, the party promised to establish a special municipal corporation cell to address problems faced by local traders and shopkeepers.
On the other hand, the Congress also presented its development plans for Solan.
The Congress manifesto was released by Himachal Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajani Patil. Senior Congress leaders, including industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, health minister Dhani Ram Shandil and education minister Rohit Thakur, were also present during the event.
Congress leaders said their top priority would be “world-class development” for Solan city.
Harshwardhan Chauhan said solving the long-standing drinking water problem in Solan would be one of the government’s main focuses.
He stated that after the Model Code of Conduct ends, the responsibility for water supply would be transferred to the Jal Shakti Department. According to him, this step would help provide water to residents at affordable prices.
The Congress also promised to ensure 100 per cent sewerage connectivity across Solan city and improve civic facilities for residents.
Congress leaders claimed that their government was committed to improving urban infrastructure and public services in a planned manner.
Rajani Patil said she would personally monitor whether the promises made in the Congress manifesto were implemented after the elections.
She also criticised the Central government and accused it of failing to fulfil several promises made to the public.
The upcoming municipal corporation elections are being seen as politically important for both parties. The BJP is trying to strengthen its support in urban areas, while Congress hopes to retain voter confidence after coming to power in the state.
Issues like drinking water, sanitation, traffic congestion, parking and tourism development are expected to play a major role in influencing voters during the elections.
Residents in many towns have repeatedly raised concerns about poor civic infrastructure, especially in rapidly growing urban centres. Political parties are now trying to address these concerns through detailed election manifestos and development promises.
With campaigning becoming more aggressive, leaders from both parties are expected to continue public outreach programmes over the next few days before voting takes place on May 17.
The results of the municipal elections will also be closely watched as an indicator of the political mood in Himachal Pradesh after the Assembly elections.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash