Washed Out Roads, Paused Votes: Himachal Defers Panchayat Polls
In a dramatic shift from earlier promises, the Himachal Pradesh government has postponed the December 2025 Panchayati Raj elections, citing widespread damage from the monsoon and broken road connectivity. The decision, announced by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta under the Disaster Management Act, aims to protect voters and polling staff from logistical and safety challenges.
District officials from Mandi, Kangra, Hamirpur, and Shimla had raised concerns about damaged infrastructure and urged the government to delay elections until conditions improve. The state was gearing up for polls across 3,577 panchayats, 91 panchayat samitis, and 249 zila parishad wards — with reserved seats for SCs, STs, and women.
But the move has sparked political backlash. The BJP accused the Congress-led government of dodging electoral accountability, claiming the disaster was used as a cover to avoid an inevitable defeat. Former CM Jairam Thakur and MLA Trilok Jamwal alleged the postponement was scripted and politically motivated.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the road to the ballot box in Himachal will have to wait — until the roads themselves are ready.
