The political landscape in Chandigarh has intensified into a three-cornered battle for the city's top civic posts, following the failure of alliance talks between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also in the fray, the stage is set for a competitive mayoral election scheduled for January 29, 2026. Adding an unexpected twist, an AAP councillor has filed an independent nomination, further complicating the electoral dynamics.
Candidate Declarations and Nomination Filings
On Thursday, all three major parties officially declared their candidates and filed nomination papers at the Municipal Corporation office in Sector 17. The Congress has nominated Gurpreet Singh Gabi for Mayor, Sachin Galav for Senior Deputy Mayor, and Nirmala Devi for Deputy Mayor. Meanwhile, the AAP has put forward councillor Yogesh Dhingra from Ward 25 for Mayor, Munawar Khan from Ward 29 for Senior Deputy Mayor, and Jaswinder Kaur from Ward 1 for Deputy Mayor.
The BJP has entered the contest with Saurabh Joshi from Ward 12 as its mayoral candidate, Jasmanpreet Singh from Ward 32 for Senior Deputy Mayor, and Suman Sharma from Ward 4 for Deputy Mayor. This sets up a direct triangular fight for the key positions, reflecting the fragmented political scenario in the city.
Independent Entry and Internal Strife
In a surprising development, AAP councillor Ramchandra Yadav from Ward 15 filed his nomination as an Independent candidate for the post of Deputy Mayor. This move has turned the contest for Deputy Mayor into a four-cornered fight, with Yadav insisting he remains loyal to the AAP. He stated, "I am a soldier of the Aam Aadmi Party. I have not left the party. Contesting elections is my right. I am still in the AAP. Rebellion would have been if I had joined BJP or Congress." Yadav claimed he had informed senior party leaders and demanded action against cross-voting incidents, hinting at internal disagreements.
Reacting to this, AAP state president Vijay Pal denied any rebellion, saying, "There is no rebellion in the party. We even offered him the post of Deputy Mayor. We are all members of one family." However, the party appears cautious, with reports suggesting that all 11 AAP councillors have been shifted to a hotel in Rupnagar (Ropar) to prevent possible defections, and their mobile phones switched off until the election process concludes.
Political Reactions and Allegations
The Congress has seized on the internal discord within the AAP to criticize its rival. Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky remarked, "One of their councillors has even filed as an Independent. This shows their internal situation." Gurpreet Singh Gabi added, "It is ironic that the AAP cannot manage its own councillors. On January 29, the Congress will have its Mayor. The AAP will be left with only nine councillors. They cannot manage their own house." He also alleged discontent within the BJP, claiming the Congress would swing votes and fight with high morale.
BJP mayoral candidate Saurabh Joshi, in contrast, emphasized a focus on public service over political numbers. He said, "We do not fight a numbers battle, we talk about public interest. If I get the mayor's post, I will serve the people with complete dedication." Joshi thanked the party leadership for the trust and highlighted that the BJP views elections as a learning process rather than just a contest for power.
Alliance Failure and Electoral Implications
The collapse of the Congress-AAP alliance talks has significantly altered the electoral equations. Political analysts note that the understanding between the two parties remained only verbal, with differing strategies for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections influencing their decision to contest separately in Chandigarh. Under pressure from their Punjab units, both parties opted to avoid an alliance that could have complicated their stance before voters in the state.
In terms of numbers, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation comprises 35 elected councillors, with the city's Member of Parliament serving as an ex-officio member, bringing the total voting strength to 36. A candidate requires at least 19 votes to be elected Mayor. Currently, the BJP holds 18 councillors, the AAP has 11, and the Congress has six. Had the Congress and AAP allied, their combined strength of 17 councillors, plus the MP's vote, could have created a tight contest. However, with the alliance off, the BJP is perceived to be in a comparatively stronger position.
Election Details and Future Outlook
Polling for the mayoral election is scheduled for January 29, 2026, at 11 am in the Assembly Hall of the New Deluxe Building in Sector 17. Nominated councillor Dr Ramneek Singh Bedi will preside over the proceedings. As the date approaches, all parties are intensifying their campaigns, with the AAP particularly vigilant about internal unity and the Congress and BJP leveraging the situation to their advantage.
This triangular fight underscores the volatile nature of municipal politics in Chandigarh, where alliances and defections can swiftly change the balance of power. The outcome will not only determine the city's civic leadership but also set the tone for future political realignments in the region.
