Daman/Silvassa, November 8, 2025: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scored a resounding victory in the local body elections across the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH & DD), winning an overwhelming 91 out of 96 seats across municipalities and district panchayats. The landslide win — including dozens of uncontested victories — has triggered a major political row, with the Congress alleging large-scale manipulation and “hijacking” of the electoral process.
BJP’s Dominant Performance
According to official figures released by the Union Territory administration, the BJP swept nearly all local bodies — including municipal councils, district panchayats, taluka panchayats, and gram panchayats.
- Total seats: 96
- BJP wins: 91
- Uncontested victories: Around 75% of the seats were won without a contest, as opposition candidates were either disqualified or withdrew their nominations.
Mahesh Agari, the BJP’s Union Territory president, hailed the outcome as a “historic endorsement” of the party’s development-oriented governance.
“The people of Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman, and Diu have once again expressed their trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s model of transparent and progressive administration,” Agari said while addressing supporters in Daman.
Congress Alleges Electoral Manipulation
The Indian National Congress (INC) has outrightly rejected the results, calling them the product of an “engineered” election process.
Manikrao Thakare, AICC in-charge for DNH & DD, accused local election authorities of colluding with BJP leaders to ensure a one-sided victory.
“Nearly 80% of our candidates’ nomination papers were rejected without valid reason. This is not an election — it’s a hijack of democracy. The entire process was compromised to ensure the BJP wins uncontested,” Thakare told reporters in Mumbai.
The Congress further claimed that nominations were rejected en masse during the scrutiny stage, especially in Diu and Silvassa, preventing any meaningful contest. The party has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking judicial intervention and an inquiry into what it terms “a coordinated electoral scam.”
Legal and Political Fallout
Legal experts say the Congress petition is likely to question both the Election Commission’s impartiality and the local administration’s role in overseeing the polls.
Political observers note that if the allegations hold, it could raise questions about electoral transparency in centrally governed Union Territories, where administrative control often overlaps with political authority.
Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed the allegations as “baseless excuses” by a defeated opposition.
“When the people reject them, the Congress blames the system. The BJP has worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people here — that’s why we won overwhelmingly,” said BJP spokesperson Sunil Bhagat in Silvassa.
Significance of the Win
The victory further consolidates the BJP’s control over western coastal territories, adding to its stronghold in Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra’s Konkan belt. Analysts say the result also reflects the party’s deep organizational reach in small Union Territories that often serve as political test beds for national trends.
What’s Next
The Bombay High Court is expected to hear the Congress petition in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the newly elected BJP-led local bodies are set to take oath later this month amid tight political and public scrutiny.
The controversy has once again reignited debates on electoral fairness in Union Territories, where administrative power and political influence often intersect — raising questions about the balance between democratic process and central control.
