Himachal Panchayat election roster rules 2026-SHIMLA: Chaos erupted in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday as BJP legislators staged a fierce protest against the state government’s recent move to grant Deputy Commissioners (DCs) discretionary power over reservation rosters for local body elections.
The controversy centers on a new amendment to the panchayat election rules. While 95 percent of panchayats will continue to follow standard reservation norms, the remaining 5 percent are now subject to the direct authority of DCs. According to the revised rules, these officials can alter the reservation roster based on “geographical or special circumstances.”
Opposing the move, BJP members held a demonstration outside the House before taking their grievances inside. They demanded an immediate discussion on the matter under Rule 67, insisting the issue be prioritized ahead of the scheduled Question Hour.
The situation reached a deadlock when the Speaker denied the request for an early debate. Refusing to back down or yield the floor, the BJP’s persistence eventually forced the Speaker to adjourn the House.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur lashed out at the government, alleging that the amendment was a calculated move to favor political allies.
“The decision to give power to the DC to decide the roster in panchayat polls is wrong and will have widespread implications,” Thakur said. “The order has been issued to benefit the individuals close to the state government.”
The opposition maintains that the amendment undermines the transparency of the electoral process, while the government contends the flexibility is necessary for specific administrative challenges.
