Chandigarh Mayoral Polls Postponed Due to Officer’s Illness; Congress-AAP Protests Ensue

The scheduled mayoral elections in Chandigarh faced an unexpected twist as the presiding officer, Anil Masih, fell ill, prompting the postponement of the polls. The Congress and AAP councillors expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming restricted access to the municipal corporation office.

Presiding Officer’s Health Concerns Lead to Postponement

In a surprising turn of events, the deteriorating health of Presiding Officer Anil Masih prompted the postponement of the Chandigarh mayoral elections. A letter issued by Joint Commissioner Isha Kamboj cited Masih’s health condition, urging restrictions on entry to the municipal corporation office until further notice.

AAP Alleges BJP Fear of INDIA Alliance Victory

Following the announcement, AAP MP Raghav Chadha claimed that the BJP is apprehensive about the INDIA alliance’s success in the elections, leading to the unexpected postponement. He expressed determination to approach the High Court for justice and insisted on the resumption of the mayoral election.

Congress Asserts BJP’s Fear of Defeat

Chandigarh Congress chief Harmohinder Singh Lucky declared the failure of the ‘Operation Lotus’ in Chandigarh, emphasizing the BJP’s reluctance to accept defeat. Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal accused the BJP of attempting to halt the election and vowed to pursue legal action in the High Court.

Significance of Mayoral Polls and INDIA Bloc’s Role

The mayoral polls in Chandigarh gain significance as the Congress and AAP, both members of the INDIA bloc, joined forces to challenge the BJP’s eight-year hold on the mayor’s position. The unexpected postponement raises questions about the fairness of the electoral process and potential political implications.

Cross-Voting Possibility and Past Congress Abstention

With the mayor elected through secret ballots, the postponement sparks concerns about potential cross-voting. The Congress’s past abstention from voting in 2022 and 2023 contributed to the BJP’s victory in previous mayoral polls, adding complexity to the current situation.

Candidates and Composition of Municipal Corporation

The BJP has fielded Manoj Sonkar for the mayor’s seat, while the AAP nominated Kuldeep Kumar Tita. The senior deputy mayor contest includes BJP’s Kuljeet Sandhu and Congress’s Gurpreet Singh Gabi. For the deputy mayor post, BJP’s Rajinder Sharma faces off against Congress’s Nirmala Devi. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation comprises 35 members, with the BJP holding 14 seats, AAP 13, Congress 7, and the Shiromani Akali Dal represented with one councillor.