Independents win big in U'khand panchayat polls

INDEPENDENTS have emerged as a dominant force in Uttarakhand's three-tier panchayat elections, securing the largest share of seats and delivering a blow to the ruling BJP and opposition Congress.

- NARENDRA SETHI @ Dehradun

The results, declared on Thursday, underscore a growing voter preference for non-aligned candidates and rejection of dynastic politics, particularly impacting the BJP.

Of the 358 Zila Panchayat member seats, Independents secured 145, BJP-backed candidates 121, and Congress-backed candidates 92.

In the 2019 panchayat elections also, Independents outperformed major parties.

This time the polls covered 11,082 positions across tiers, with many elected unopposed or remaining vacant.

A key feature of this election was the rural electorate's preference for young, educated, and enthusiastic candidates, irrespective of party affiliation.