The meeting was attended by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, senior BJP leader Kalraj Mishra, co-incharge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh Shyam Jaju and other state leaders but party vice president and Rajya Sabha member Shanta Kumar did not turn up as the Upper House was in session.
SMC was under the control of Congress ever since its first elections in 1986 and BJP is making a determined bid to oust Congress as the party feels the outcome of the civic polls would have some bearing on the assembly elections due later this year.
The elections for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor would be through direct vote and councillors from 25 wards would also be elected simultaneously.
BJP and Congress are contesting all seats while CPI(M) has fielded candidates in 20 wards and supporting independents in the remaining wards.
Polling would be held on May 27 and counting the next day.
