Congress-AAP Alliance for Chandigarh Mayoral Election Collapses Amid Internal Turmoil
The much-speculated political alliance between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Chandigarh mayoral election has officially collapsed. This development comes as a significant setback for opposition unity efforts in the union territory, with the breakdown attributed to shifting loyalties, strategic electoral calculations, and deep-seated mistrust between the two parties.
Internal Instability and Defections Derail Alliance Talks
Leaders from both parties have acknowledged that the alliance offered more risk than reward, particularly with the AAP struggling to maintain cohesion among its councillors. The first major red flag emerged when two AAP councillors recently defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The situation worsened on Thursday when AAP councillor Ramchander Yadav filed nomination papers for deputy mayor as an independent candidate, openly defying the party's official decision.
Although Yadav insists he remains with AAP, his rebellion has raised serious questions about internal discipline and leadership within the party. Congress leaders cited this instability as a primary reason for refusing to join hands, noting that even a combined opposition front was unlikely to secure the numbers needed to win the mayoral poll.
Strategic Electoral Calculations Take Precedence
The Congress party is looking beyond the immediate mayoral election to the municipal corporation elections scheduled for December 2026, which will determine leadership for the 2027–2031 term. Party strategists believe that aligning with AAP now could damage their vote share in the year-end MC election, where they hope to mount a strong challenge against the BJP.
"BJP's governance record here is weak, and AAP is unable to hold its councillors. There is no political advantage in entering into an alliance in the last year of this MC's tenure," a senior Congress functionary revealed. The party's Punjab leadership has also consistently opposed any tie-up with AAP, citing potential negative impacts on state-level politics.
AAP's Independent Stance and Identity Consolidation
AAP leaders echo similar strategic assessments, emphasizing that the party gained public confidence in the 2022 MC polls as the single largest party. Contesting independently again would help consolidate their political identity in Chandigarh. With no alliance planned for the December MC elections, AAP sees little value in entering a temporary arrangement for the outgoing House.
Following the formal end of alliance talks, AAP councillors who had been moved to Punjab amid fears of poaching returned to Chandigarh on Thursday. Party leaders believe the threat of BJP approaching their councillors has diminished, though some councillors were still seen accompanied by Punjab Police commandos after filing nomination papers.
Party Perspectives on the Failed Alliance
Jatinder Pal Malhotra, Chandigarh BJP president, commented: "The alliance of Congress and AAP was just an arrangement without an ideology. For us, politics is not a career but a mission to serve the nation and its people. Our candidates are selected unanimously by the party's high command. And in the current numbers game, we are in a winning position."
HS Lucky, Chandigarh Congress president, stated: "We tried, but AAP could not even manage its own councillors. Their leaders used inappropriate language for our leaders, and most importantly, our councillors were not in favour of an alliance at all. So entering into an alliance only for the last mayoral election of the current House made no sense."
Omkar Singh Aulakh, Chandigarh AAP general secretary, expressed disappointment: "It was Congress's moral responsibility to support AAP. We wholeheartedly supported Congress in the 2024 parliamentary election and helped ensure their MP's victory. Congress repeatedly said they were willing to consider all options to keep the BJP out of power in the MC for the city's benefit. But now they have gone back on their word."
The collapse of this alliance represents a significant development in Chandigarh's political landscape, with implications for both immediate electoral outcomes and long-term political realignments in the region.
