The Congress captured both posts of president and vice-president of the Kamrau (Tilor Dhar) Block Development Committee (BDC) in the Shillai Assembly constituency of Sirmaur district on Thursday following a last-minute shift in support. The Congress win was a setback for the BJP just days after its victory in the Shillai Block Development Committee.

The BJP had secured both posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Shillai Block Development Committee on July 6 and was widely expected to repeat the performance in the Kamrau (Tilor Dhar) BDC, where it was believed to have the support of eight members.

According to sources, differences emerged among three BJP-backed members over the party's choice for the president's post. Amid internal discord, BJP-supported member Priyanka Sharma from the Tatiana ward reportedly joined the Congress late on the eve of the election, altering the political equations in the committee.

The Congress capitalised on the development and fielded Priyanka for the president's post. She secured eight votes and defeated BJP-supported candidate Anita, who received seven votes. Priyanka was elected the BDC president.

The Congress also clinched the vice-president's post, as Satpal Chauhan secured eight votes against seven polled by BJP-supported candidate Reema.

The outcome was not on the expected lines, as the Congress secured the control of the Kamrau BDC though the BJP was the frontrunner in the election. The closely contested election once again highlighted how the last-minute political realignments can decisively influence the outcome of the local body poll.