Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of making exaggerated and misleading claims about its performance in the state's local body and panchayat elections. Chauhan said feedback received by the Congress from across Himachal Pradesh indicated that a large number of party-supported candidates had emerged victorious.

Congress Pushes Back on BJP's Victory Claims

Chauhan said the BJP 'is attempting to create a perception of victory through the media, which is far away from the ground reality.' He added that Congress-backed candidates were also expected to prevail in the upcoming Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad elections, asserting that voters across the state were showing clear support for the party.

This comes amid a broader pattern of rival claims that typically follow local body elections in India, where official results can take time to consolidate and both parties often project early leads. The panchayat polls in Himachal Pradesh have historically been contested fiercely, given their direct bearing on rural governance and the political temperature ahead of state assembly cycles.

Tourism Recovery and Key Infrastructure Moves

Chauhan also addressed the state's tourism sector, noting that it had suffered significant setbacks following natural disasters in 2023 and 2025. He said the sector is now witnessing a strong recovery, with tourist footfall increasing steadily in major destinations including Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, Palampur, Dalhousie, and Kasauli.

Lauding initiatives by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chauhan said the state government has designated Kangra as the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh and has launched several major projects to develop the district. The expansion of Kangra airport is currently underway, and helipads are being developed in different parts of the state.

Various tourism projects supported by the Asian Development Bank are also progressing rapidly, according to Chauhan. These initiatives are expected to attract high-end tourists and enhance income and livelihood opportunities for local residents.

Home Stay Policy Reforms and Rural Economy

The state government has also introduced key reforms in the Home Stay Policy, aimed at creating self-employment opportunities — particularly for youth and people living in rural areas. Chauhan said these measures would strengthen the rural economy and open new avenues for income generation, with the government's broader objective being to make tourism the largest and most sustainable pillar of the state's economy.

Border Trade Revival via Shipki-La Route

Chauhan said that sustained efforts by Chief Minister Sukhu have led to significant progress in reviving border trade with Tibet through the Shipki-La route after a long hiatus. He added that this development would generate employment and boost both tourism and economic activity in border areas. The launch of border tourism in the state, he said, is already benefiting local communities.

With local body results still being tallied and both parties staking early claims, the political contest in Himachal Pradesh is set to sharpen as Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad outcomes become clearer in the days ahead.