The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a relatively “new” entrant in Punjab politics, put up a commendable show in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections by winning 14 of the 35 wards, pushing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the second place with 12 seats. The win would serve as a shot in the arm for the Delhi-based party ahead of the Assembly elections in Punjab. As per the State Election Commission, Congress registered a victory in 8 wards, while the Shiromani Akali Dal bagged only 1 ward. Sitting mayor of the BJP, Ravi K. Sharma was defeated by an AAP candidate. Polling was held on 24 December, while the votes were counted on Monday. AAP has, thus, marked its space in a city, which is administered by the Centre and ruled by the BJP.
Four seats short of a majority, the AAP has not decided to collaborate with any other party yet. “We will take a decision after consulting our local team, leaders,” said AAP leader Bhagwant Mann.
AAP National Convenor and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that his party’s victory in Chandigarh civic polls is a sign of the change in Punjab where the Assembly elections are due early next year. “This victory of Aam Aadmi Party in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is a sign of the change in Punjab. People of Chandigarh today have chosen the honest politics of AAP, rejecting corrupt politics. Many congratulations to all the winning candidates and workers of AAP. This time Punjab is ready for change,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “The people of Chandigarh have reposed faith in Arvind Kejriwal ji’s politics today. For this, a heartfelt thank you to every single voter of Chandigarh. This victory is a sign that people want to give a chance to ‘honesty and politics that works’ if there is an alternative.”
Speaking to the media, AAP leader Raghav Chadha said, “I thank the people of Chandigarh on behalf of AAP and Arvind Kejriwal to have given such love and trust to a small and honest party like ours, who contested elections here for the first time ever. Chandigarh is just a trailer, Punjab is the movie. Victory of Kejriwal’s model of governance as people were yearning for a change for years.”
Nine counting centres were set up for 35 wards of the municipal corporation, and counting began at 9 am. The polling percentage remained at 60.45% this year. Traditionally, the municipal election—held every five years—has seen a locking of horns between the BJP and the Congress, but the entry of the Aam Aadmi Party made the contest triangular this time.
(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)