The BJP established its stronghold over the Zila Parishad in Solan by unanimously electing Sheila Kumari as the chairperson and Pankaj Sharma as the vice-chairman. This is the BJP’s second consecutive victory in the Solan Zila Parishad since 2020. She is also a fourth-term Zila Parishad member.

Pankaj Sharma, on the other hand, is a first-term member from the Taksal ward in the Kasauli Assembly segment.

With the BJP having won 10 seats, the Congress securing only five, and two Independents also being elected, the BJP’s victory in both the top posts was a foregone conclusion. This is the second major setback for the ruling Congress, which earlier suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Solan Municipal Corporation.

The Congress’ dismal performance in the district has come as a major setback to the ruling party, which has all five MLAs from the district. “Seven of the eight Zila Parishads constituted in the state so far have been won by the BJP,” informed Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap. He added that the people had voted against the Congress’ anti-people policies.