A potential clash between BJP and AAP is on the horizon for the upcoming Chandigarh mayoral elections, projected to occur around January 16 or 17, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has formally requested the deputy commissioner to set a date for the crucial mayoral polls, considering their significance ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections in May. Consequently, active campaigning and maneuvering have commenced among the elected representatives vying for the mayoral position. In Chandigarh, the mayor serves a one-year term, selected from the pool of elected councillors.
This year’s seat is earmarked for a candidate from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category. The BJP holds one SC category councillor, while the Congress and AAP boast two and four, respectively.AAP’s quartet of SC councillors comprises Kuldeep Singh Tita, Neha, Poonam, and Lakhvir Singh. Jasbir Singh Bunty emerges as the frontrunner from the Congress camp, whereas Manoj Sonkar stands as the solitary BJP SC councillor.
The House, with 35 members, consists of 14 BJP councillors, 13 from AAP, seven from Congress, and one from SAD. Additionally, BJP MP Kirron Kher holds an ex-officio position in the House, wielding voting powers.
Sources suggest AAP will fiercely contest to prevent the election of a BJP councillor as mayor, believing that a defeat in these polls would tarnish the saffron party’s image preceding the general elections. There are also rumblings within AAP about the potential for Congress support, possibly in exchange for a senior deputy mayor or deputy mayor position on a shared basis.
Meanwhile, a Congress official disclosed a wait-and-watch strategy, asserting, “We haven’t solidified any decisions yet. We’ll observe the unfolding field and candidates.” Anonymously spoken, the leader hinted at last year’s abstention from voting in the mayoral elections.
During its maiden municipal corporation election in December 2021, AAP clinched 14 seats, while BJP’s strength dwindled from 20 to 12 seats compared to its 2016 tally. Congress, with eight councillors, saw Harpreet Babla defecting to BJP, bolstering its count to 13. Subsequently, Gurcharan Singh also switched allegiance to BJP from Congress, elevating the BJP tally to 14. Meanwhile, AAP’s Taruna joined Congress, raising their count to seven.