Ground Zero: Rakesh Kumar Banchta Emerges as Proactive Face in High-Stakes Dewat-Jhiknipul-Mashroan BDC Battle
DEWAT/SHILIKIAN/JHINIPUL/SHANTHA: The political temperature has soared in the tri-panchayat belt of Dewat, Mashroan and Jhiknipul as campaigning for the Block Development Committee (BDC) election entered the final stretch ahead of polling on May 28 in Jhiknipul and Mashroan panchayats and May 30 in Dewat panchayat of Chopal subdivision in Shimla district. Counting and results are expected by the evening of May 30.
The BDC contest has turned into a fascinating mix of clan loyalties, old political rivalries, caste equations, panchayat-level alignments and personal credibility. In the middle of this complex chessboard, one name repeatedly echoes across villages and campaign gatherings — Rakesh Kumar Banchta of Shantha ward, who is increasingly being seen by many voters as a proactive and serious contender enjoying rapport across all three panchayats due to extensive family and social ties.
A total of ten candidates are in the fray. From Dewat panchayat are Rakesh Kumar Banchta, Sita Ram Bhagta, Thakur from Bijjar ward, PD Sharma from Bijjar, Nikhil Sharma from Bateuri ward and Virender Azta alias Nankhu from Duina. Mashroan panchayat has Birender Dhanta and Kameshwar “Cammy” from Shilikian ward, while Lokinder Sharma and Kuldip Jhagta are contesting from Jhiknipul panchayat.
The largest voter base lies in Dewat panchayat with over 1,600 voters, making it the decisive battleground. Jhiknipul has around 800 voters while Mashroan has nearly 600 voters.
Political observers say the sheer number of contestants from Dewat has fragmented the vote bank there. Veteran contestants like Bhagta, Nankhu and PD Sharma are being viewed by many villagers as habitual candidates who have repeatedly contested local elections but failed to make a political breakthrough. Their repeated defeats in earlier Pradhan and Up-Pradhan elections have weakened their acceptability among voters looking for a stronger BDC face.
That has created space for newcomers like Rakesh Kumar Banchta, Thakur and Nikhil Sharma. Among them, Rakesh is perceived to hold an advantage because of his larger traditional clan network and his aggressive outreach campaign beyond Dewat into Mashroan and Jhiknipul.
Ground reports suggest that Rakesh’s campaign machinery has remained highly active in all three panchayats. Supporters claim his outreach in Mashroan and Jhiknipul has helped him build momentum beyond his home turf. Local conversations in Mashroan indicate that many voters there are evaluating candidates not merely on panchayat loyalty but on who appears capable of actually winning the BDC seat.
The political equations in Mashroan are particularly volatile. Sitting Pradhan Birender Dhanta is battling for political survival as the Pradhan seat is now reserved for an SC candidate. His rival Kameshwar “Cammy” and his supporters have openly declared their mission to politically sideline Dhanta in the panchayat. The rivalry has divided local political workers and ward-level networks into competing camps supporting separate candidates for Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and ward member seats.
Insiders say these internal divisions in Mashroan may indirectly benefit Rakesh Kumar Banchta, who is seen as a relatively neutral and acceptable face by sections of rival groups. Family relations of candidates like Kuldip Jhagta and Bhagta in Shilikian could fetch them some scattered support, while Thakur from Bijjar is also banking on clan connections there.
Jhiknipul too remains politically charged. Kuldip Jhagta, originally associated with Bamta panchayat, is facing criticism from opponents who describe him as an outsider or “ghusptia” in Jhiknipul politics. Voters unhappy with his earlier tenure as BDC vice-chairman accuse him of failing to deliver development works. Lokinder Sharma, a former Up-Pradhan, is also facing anti-incumbency murmurs from sections of villagers who believe he did not live up to expectations.
In Dewat panchayat, the main electoral fight is believed to be among Rakesh Kumar Banchta, Nikhil Sharma and Bhagta. Nikhil and Lokinder, both drawing support from segments of the Brahmin community, are seen denting each other’s prospects.
The Muslim voter pockets of Kothmal, Kumra and Bijjar villages are also expected to play a significant role.
Equally crucial are the factional battles in Duina village between the Nazar Sadoli-led group supporting Santosh Kumari and the Azta-led “Guttu group” backing Rekha Azta. Former Dewat Pradhan Rajinder Chauhan and the Chauhan Bandhu network are reportedly opposing the Guttu camp, further complicating the equations.
Local discussions indicate that alliances for BDC elections are deeply intertwined with calculations for Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and ward member posts. Yet amid the shifting caste and clan equations, voters appear increasingly focused on identifying the candidate with the strongest winning potential.
If campaign intensity and cross-panchayat networking are taken as indicators, Rakesh Kumar Banchta currently appears to enjoy an edge in the tri-panchayat contest. However, with multiple local rivalries and hidden alignments in play, the final verdict will only become clear once ballots are counted on May 30 evening.
