DEHRADUN, Jan. 28 -- In the recently-concluded civic elections, BJP emerged victorious, securing 10 out of 11 municipal corporation mayor seats, with only Srinagar Municipal Corporation slipping out of its grasp. In addition to the aggressive election campaign led on a front foot by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, BJP's success can also be attributed to some extent to his development-focused election strategy, which resonated strongly with voters across the state.

At the onset of the elections, Congress appeared poised to give a tough and close fight to the BJP, focusing its campaign on key municipal corporations like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haldwani, Srinagar, Kotdwar, and Pithoragarh. Initial aggressive campaigning by Congress, which ...