Chandigarh AAP Councillor Damanpreet Singh Defects to Congress in Major Political Shift
In a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Chandigarh, councillor Damanpreet Singh, who represents Ward number 17 covering Sectors 22 and 23, has officially joined the Congress. The defection ceremony took place on Sunday at the Congress party office in Sector 35, marking another setback for AAP in the region.
Second AAP Councillor to Join Congress in Recent Weeks
Damanpreet Singh is the second AAP councillor to switch allegiance to the Congress within a short span. Earlier, on February 23, Premlata, along with Ritu Chhabra—wife of former city Mayor—and other leaders, had also joined the Congress. Premlata's late husband, Pradeep Chhabra, was a senior Congress leader and served as the city unit president for seven years, adding a layer of historical context to these defections.
Congress Welcomes New Members Amid Broader Recruitment Drive
During the event, City Congress president Harmohinder Singh Lucky announced that former AAP state general secretary Ujjwal Bhasin, who currently holds the position of treasurer at the District Bar Association in Sector 43, also joined the Congress. Additionally, advocates Vishal Sharma and Yuvraj Asht became new members of the party.
Lucky expressed optimism about future inductions, stating that more leaders from other political parties are expected to join the Congress in the coming days. He attributed this trend to the party's policies, ideology, and the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, which he said are inspiring defectors.
Damanpreet Singh Cites AAP's Disarray and Lack of Local Autonomy
In his address to the gathering, Damanpreet Singh explained his decision to leave AAP, describing the party's city unit as being in a state of disarray. He criticized the centralization of power, noting that all key decisions are made from Delhi or Punjab, with local leaders having no authority to act independently.
He revealed a personal grievance, alleging that his name was finalized for the post of Mayor, but another candidate was announced just before the voting, undermining his position. Damanpreet termed his move as a "homecoming," recalling that he had previously left the Congress along with the late Pradeep Chhabra but now believes the Congress is the right platform to effectively serve his ward and the city.
Broader Political Context and Previous Defections
This defection follows earlier shifts in Chandigarh's political landscape. Before the mayoral election, two AAP councillors, Suman Sharma and Poonam, had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), indicating a pattern of instability within AAP's local ranks.
In the 2021 Municipal Corporation elections, AAP made a strong debut by winning 14 seats, becoming the single largest party in the 35-member House. The BJP secured 12 wards, while the Congress won eight. Notably, Akali Dal candidate Hardeep Singh, who won a seat, later joined AAP, highlighting the fluid nature of political affiliations in the region.
The ongoing defections underscore the challenges faced by AAP in maintaining its foothold in Chandigarh, as internal discord and external pressures continue to reshape the city's political dynamics.
