Panchkula civic polls treated as “CM’s By-Election”, alleges Congress MLA Chander Mohan Bishnoi

Panchkula, May 14

After the BJP’s victory in the municipal corporation elections in Panchkula, Congress MLA Chander Mohan Bishnoi on Thursday made sharp remarks, claiming that the civic polls were effectively treated as a “by-election” for the Chief Minister.

Addressing reporters, Bishnoi said the elections were not merely about the mayor, the municipal body, or the MLA, but were fought as a prestige contest by the Chief Minister himself. He alleged that misuse of government machinery and unfair practices were witnessed during the electoral process.

He demanded that future elections be conducted on ballot paper rather than EVMs, stating that this would help dispel public doubts. He also questioned the advantages of using EVMs and raised concerns over the ballot paper system, asking what benefits or drawbacks each method carries.

The Congress leader asserted that there were no shortcomings in his party’s campaign and alleged that the Chief Minister had fully mobilised resources, treating the civic polls like a high-stakes by-election.

Bishnoi further said that a new organisational president has been appointed in the Congress and expressed confidence that the party would soon deliver strong electoral results in the coming contests.