BJP Making False Claims of Victory in Panchayat Elections, Congress Receiving Massive Support: Naresh Chauhan

31/05/2026-VIDYA SAGAR

SHIMLA: Launching a sharp offensive against the opposition, Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, stated today that the BJP is peddling exaggerated and highly misleading claims regarding its performance in the recent local body and panchayat elections.

In an official press statement, Chauhan asserted that the ground reality is entirely different. Ground-level feedback received by the Congress party from every corner of the state reveals that a massive number of Congress-supported candidates have emerged victorious. He accused the BJP of desperately trying to manufacture a “perception of victory” through media manipulation.

⚡ Key Highlights from the Press Statement

1. Public Mandate is with Congress

Chauhan expressed absolute confidence in the upcoming electoral tiers, stating that Congress-backed candidates are on track to sweep the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections as well. He noted that voters across Himachal Pradesh are openly aligning with the welfare policies of the current government, dealing a silent blow to the opposition’s rhetoric.

2. Resurgence of Himachal Tourism After Natural Adversities

Reflecting on the state’s economic backbone, Chauhan acknowledged that Himachal Pradesh’s tourism sector faced unprecedented setbacks due to the catastrophic natural disasters of 2023 and 2025. However, due to strategic interventions, the sector is charting a phenomenal recovery.

• Major tourist hotspots including Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Palampur, Dalhousie, and Kasauli are currently witnessing a steady and massive surge in tourist footfall.

3. Kangra as the ‘Tourism Capital’ & Infrastructure Boom

Lauding the visionary initiatives of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chauhan highlighted major ongoing transformations:

• Kangra’s Transformation: The district has been officially designated as the Tourism Capital of Himachal Pradesh, backed by massive infrastructure funding.

• Connectivity Air-Lift: The expansion of the Kangra Airport is moving at a rapid pace, alongside the strategic development of helipads across various districts to ensure seamless connectivity.

• ADB Funded Projects: Multiple high-impact tourism projects supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are being fast-tracked to attract premium, high-end tourists, directly multiplying the income of local stakeholders.

🌍 Historic Breakthrough: Border Tourism & Shipki-La Route

In a major policy victory, Chauhan revealed that the sustained diplomatic and administrative efforts of Chief Minister Sukhu have paved the way for reviving border trade with Tibet through the historic Shipki-La route after a prolonged hiatus.

“The launch of border tourism is a direct result of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s persistent efforts. Opening up the Shipki-La route will not only generate robust employment but will also transform the socio-economic landscape of our border communities.” — Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media)

Furthermore, key reforms introduced in the state’s Home-Stay Policy are successfully triggering self-employment avenues, empowering rural youth, and cementing tourism as the largest, most sustainable pillar of Himachal’s economy.

🕊️ A Call for Social Harmony vs. Divisive Politics

Closing his statement with an ideological reminder, Chauhan emphasized that the Congress party stands firmly for the respect and unity of all religions, castes, and communities.

He criticized the BJP’s political framework, stating that its “divisive politics” has contributed absolutely nothing to the development or prosperity of Himachal Pradesh. He reiterated that national progress is rooted in communal harmony and maintained that public policies must always be driven by public welfare rather than narrow political gains.