BJP Triumphs in Chandigarh Mayoral Elections with Clear Majority
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has achieved a significant victory in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, securing all three key positions in the Municipal Corporation. In a closely watched three-cornered contest, the party demonstrated its organizational strength and political dominance in the union territory.
Saurabh Joshi Elected as New Mayor of Chandigarh
Saurabh Joshi of the BJP has been elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh after receiving 18 votes in the 36-member Municipal Corporation. The election, held on Thursday, witnessed intense competition among the BJP, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress candidates.
AAP's mayoral candidate Yogesh Dhingra secured 11 votes, while Congress nominee Gurpreet Singh Gabi managed to get seven votes. The results were announced shortly after the completion of voting, formally ushering Joshi into office as Chandigarh's new Mayor.
Deputy Mayor Positions Also Go to BJP
In addition to the mayoral post, BJP councillors Jasmanpreet Singh and Suman Sharma were elected as Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively. This clean sweep marks a significant political achievement for the BJP in Chandigarh's municipal governance.
Jasmanpreet Singh secured 18 votes for the Senior Deputy Mayor position, while AAP candidate Munawar Khan received 11 votes. Congress nominee Sachin Galav received no votes as Congress councillors and Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari were absent from the House during this voting.
Election Process and Political Dynamics
The election was conducted through an open show of hands, a departure from the earlier practice of secret ballots. This change was implemented following controversies surrounding the 2024 mayoral election, with authorities aiming to ensure greater transparency in the voting process.
Voting began at 11 am and was conducted in accordance with a notification issued by the Chandigarh Administrator. The Municipal Corporation has 35 elected councillors, with the city's Member of Parliament also entitled to vote, bringing the total electorate to 36.
Congress Abstention and Strategic Withdrawals
An interesting development occurred when Congress councillors, after casting their votes in the mayoral election in favour of their candidate Gurpreet Singh Gabi, walked out of the House. This led to their absence during the Senior Deputy Mayor's election and subsequent deputy mayor polls.
During the deputy mayor election, AAP councillor Ramchandra Yadav, who had filed his nomination as an Independent candidate, withdrew from the contest moments before the voting process began. This withdrawal came after newly elected Mayor Saurabh Joshi invited candidates to announce any withdrawals before the start of the election.
Numerical Strength and Political Implications
The election was held amid heightened political interest as all three parties contested the mayoral post independently for the first time since the present House was constituted in 2022. With no pre-poll alliance, the outcome largely reflected the parties' numerical strength in the Corporation.
The BJP, which has 18 councillors, fell just short of the halfway mark on its own but managed to secure enough support to ensure Joshi's victory. The AAP, with 11 councillors, and Congress, with six, failed to make a dent in the BJP's tally despite earlier speculation about possible cross-voting and informal understandings among Opposition parties.
Administrative Preparations and Security Measures
Prior to the elections, Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, reviewed the preparations with a focus on law and order, security arrangements, deployment of officials, and coordination among departments. This comprehensive preparation ensured smooth conduct of the electoral process.
The election results have significant implications for Chandigarh's municipal governance and set the stage for the BJP's administration of the city. With all three key positions under their control, the party now faces the challenge of delivering on urban development promises and addressing the city's civic needs.
