CPI-M hails historic win in Himachal mayoral polls

The Communist Party of India – Marxist on Monday congratulated its Himachal Pradesh unit for its "historic win" in the mayoral elections in Shimla.

In direct elections, CPI-M nominees trounced Bharatiya Janata Party candidates for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor of Shimla.

"The Politburo of the CPI-M congratulates the party unit in Himachal Pradesh and salutes the people of Shimla for reposing their faith in the CPI-M candidates in the first ever direct election," the party politburo said in a statement.

Sanjay Chauhan was elected mayor with a margin of 7,868 votes over the nearest BJP candidate. Tikendar Panwar was elected deputy mayor with a margin of 4,778 votes over the BJP candidate.

While the ruling BJP's dream to end the 26-year Congress dominance was shattered as it fell one seat short of majority, the poll results came as a rude shock for the Congress as it not only lost the election of mayor and deputy mayor, but failed to retain its majority in the 25-member Shimla Municipal Corporation.

The victory of CPI-M is significant as the Shimla Municipal comprises the entire Shimla assembly constituencies and some areas of Shimla (Rural) and Kusumpti constituencies.