In a significant political development just weeks before the crucial mayoral election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chandigarh has received a major boost with the defection of two councillors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Councillors Suman Sharma and Poonam formally joined the BJP at a function held at the party's Chandigarh office on Wednesday.
High-Profile Switch Ahead of Key Vote
The joining ceremony was attended by senior BJP leaders, including Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra, current Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, former president Sanjay Tandon, and vice president Devinder Singh Babla. The move is seen as a strategic coup for the BJP, which was facing a numbers deficit in the 35-member municipal house.
Both councillors cited their belief in the policies of the BJP and the Narendra Modi-led central government as the primary reason for their switch. Councillor Poonam provided a more pointed critique of her former party, alleging that councillors were being sidelined in the AAP's decision-making processes, which made her feel "suffocated." Jatinder Pal Malhotra welcomed the new members, stating the BJP was expanding daily and that both had joined unconditionally.
Altered Arithmetic for Mayor Election
The timing of this defection is critical. The election for the Mayor of Chandigarh is scheduled for next month, and the BJP did not previously have the required numbers to secure a win. To win the Mayor's post, a candidate needs 19 votes out of the total 35 councillors. The Member of Parliament from Chandigarh also holds one vote in the election.
With the addition of Suman Sharma and Poonam, the BJP's strength has now reached 18 councillors. The Congress has 6 councillors, and the AAP's count has been reduced to 11. Historically, the AAP and Congress have fought municipal elections in Chandigarh jointly, an alliance that will now be under severe strain and scrutiny given this defection from the AAP's ranks.
Leadership Hails Development and Strength
Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla welcomed the two leaders into the "BJP family," linking the local development to the national vision. She stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, a new direction of development has been set for Chandigarh and the entire nation, and the new members would strengthen the party's organization further.
Echoing the sentiment, senior leader Sanjay Tandon said the continuous expansion of the BJP is a direct reflection of the growing public confidence in the policies and leadership of Prime Minister Modi. This defection not only changes the immediate electoral calculus for the Mayor's post but also signals a potential shift in the local political landscape of the union territory, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest next month.
