Palampur, May 12
Senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shanta Kumar expressed strong confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the upcoming Palampur Municipal Corporation elections, stating that the “lotus is certain to bloom” in the town. Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Palampur on Monday evening, he said the party would work to fulfill the developmental gaps that still remain in the region.
Shanta Kumar described the present period as a “golden era” for both the country and the BJP. Recalling his long political journey, he said he has remained associated with the organization since the formation of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and had attended its first national meeting held in Kanpur between 1951 and 1953. He noted that after the passing of his colleague Thakur Kunj Lal, he is among the few remaining leaders connected to that early phase of the party.
Highlighting the BJP’s political rise, he remarked that the party, which once had only two Members of Parliament, is now governing at the Center and in 22 states across India. He praised the unity among party workers and local leadership in Palampur, saying their collective efforts have strengthened the BJP’s position ahead of the civic elections.
The veteran leader asserted that the BJP is firmly placed to capture the Palampur Municipal Corporation and make the town “Congress-free.” He emphasized that development would remain the party’s top priority after coming to power in the corporation.
Speaking emotionally about his long-pending dream project, Shanta Kumar said he was saddened that the proposed Palampur ropeway project could not be completed after his government lost power. However, he expressed confidence that with the BJP governments in both the municipal corporation and the state, the dream would eventually become reality. According to him, the ropeway project would significantly boost tourism and help the Kangra district emerge prominently on the global tourism map.
Appealing to the public for support, he said that much of Palampur’s development has been driven by the BJP and promised that any remaining shortcomings would be addressed if the party is entrusted with responsibility in the municipal corporation. He assured residents that their problems and civic issues would be resolved under the BJP leadership.
Shanta Kumar also described the municipal and upcoming Assembly elections as the “last elections” of his political life, adding emotionally that he does not wish to end his journey with a defeat.
Several BJP leaders and workers were present during the press conference, including former IPH Minister Thakur Ravindra Singh Ravi, Sulah MLA Vipin Parmar, Rajya Sabha MP Sikander Kumar, former MLA Praveen Kumar, BJP spokesperson Vinay Sharma, district president Ragini Rakwal, and several other party office-bearers and workers.
