Congress announces 15 candidates for Palampur MC poll, bets on new faces

The Congress has announced 15 candidates for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections in Palampur. It has fielded 12 new faces in a strategic move aimed at retaining power in the civic body. The party, which previously enjoyed a majority in the Municipal Corporation, is projecting confidence of a strong comeback. Local MLA Ashish Butail said on Friday that the selection of new candidates reflected the party’s intent to bring fresh energy and accountability to local governance. He expressed optimism that the Congress would once again secure the control of the Municipal Corporation with the support of people.

“The response of the public has been very encouraging. We are confident that the Congress will take control of the Municipal Corporation again,” Butail said while interacting with mediapersons in Palampur on Friday.

He said that improving basic infrastructure would be the top priority. Key focus areas included the construction of new parking facilities to ease congestion in Palampur city and the development and widening of roads to ensure smoother traffic movement. He added that the Congress was committed to addressing long-pending civic issues and enhancing the overall quality of life of residents, with zero tolerance for corruption.

The nomination process for the elections has already begun and two Congress candidates had filed their nomination papers on the first day. Party leaders said that the remaining candidates would submit their nominations within the stipulated timeline.

The Municipal Corporation elections in Palampur scheduled to be held on May 17 are expected to witness a keen contest between the Congress and the BJP. Both parties have stepped up their campaigns and the elections are likely to focus on development issues, governance track record and public outreach.

Political observers believe that the introduction of new faces by the Congress can play a crucial role in shaping voter sentiment, especially among younger and first-time voters. As campaigning gathers pace, all eyes will be on how effectively the parties connect with the electorate in the run-up to the polling day.