Munish Sood
Mandi
In a rare and remarkable display of grassroots influence, Baihna ward of the Mandi Municipal Corporation witnessed a complete political withdrawal on Wednesday, as all candidates formally pulled out of the contest before the 3 PM deadline, effectively halting the election process in the ward.
Candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and independent groups submitted their withdrawal papers in line with a mutual understanding shaped over the past two days, following sustained pressure from local residents.
Public Will Overrides Political Contest
The unprecedented move comes after continuous meetings held by villagers, who collectively urged all candidates to step aside in support of a larger demand — restoration of Baihna’s rural administrative status under the panchayat system.
Residents have long opposed the inclusion of Baihna in the municipal corporation, arguing that the area remains rural in character and that its governance should reflect ground realities.
Leaders Fall in Line with Consensus
BJP MLA Inder Singh Gandhi had earlier maintained that Baihna is fundamentally a rural belt and that its inclusion in the municipal framework had faced resistance from the outset. Honouring the collective understanding, the BJP candidate withdrew from the race once other candidates followed suit.
Senior Congress leader and former minister Prakash Chaudhary also aligned with the public sentiment, ensuring withdrawal of the Congress candidate as part of the agreement.
Independent candidate Krishna Bhanu confirmed that the decision was taken after detailed consultations with residents, reiterating that the unified stand is aimed at securing Baihna’s return to rural governance.
Strong Signal to Authorities
With no candidates left in the fray, the Baihna ward election now stands effectively deferred. The development is being seen as a powerful assertion of public will, cutting across political affiliations and compelling all stakeholders to fall in line.
Observers believe the move sends a clear and direct message to the authorities, urging a reconsideration of the decision to include Baihna within the municipal corporation limits.
As the dust settles on this unusual political episode, attention now shifts to the government’s response, with residents expecting concrete steps toward restoring Baihna’s rural status in the coming days.
