Champa Thakur, daughter of Himachal Health Minister Thakur Kaul Singh was elected president Zila Parishad of Mandi district at the poll held in Zila Parishad Bhavan, Bhiuli on Wednesday evening.
All the 36 members of the Zila Parishad were present in the meeting. However, three members of the left parties staged a walkout as protest against the policies of both Congress and BJP.
Champa Thakur was declared elected by securing 19 votes as against 14 votes got by Pamita Sharma of the BJP.
There was a neck and neck fight in the elections of the Zila Parishad elections.
Congress party had drawn a strategy involving four Cabinet Ministers and the political adviser to the Chief Minister. Kaul Singh Thakur , Anil Sharma, Prakash Chaudhary Sudhir Sharma and Rangila Ram Rao, political advisor of the Chief Minister had made efforts to ensure the victory of Champa Thakur.
On the other hand, the BJP stalwarts Ram Swarup Sharma and former ministers Jai Ram Thakuer, Gulab Singh Thakur and Mahinder Singh were also making vigorous efforts for the victory of their candidate, Pamila Sharma.
The post of the vice-president was also bagged by the Congress supported candidate Puran Thakur, president district Congress Committee. He defeated BJP supported Raj Kumar by a margin of seven votes.