The race to secure the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ticket for the upcoming mayoral election in Chandigarh has entered a crucial phase, with four prominent party leaders emerging as the top contenders. The internal selection process is gaining momentum, with the final decision resting with the party's central leadership.
The Four Key Contenders
Maheshinder Singh Sidhu, Kanwarjeet Singh Rana, Saurabh Joshi, and Dalip Sharma have surfaced as the leading probables from within the ruling party's ranks. All four bring considerable experience and a proven track record of electoral success within the Municipal Corporation (MC).
Sidhu and Rana have each won the MC election twice in a row, demonstrating strong local support. Joshi and Sharma are currently serving their second terms as councillors, solidifying their political base. Party insiders highlight that these leaders have been consistently visible, assertive in organisational discussions, and effective at presenting the party's stance in key forums.
Their prior service on important decision-making committees has further bolstered their standing within the Chandigarh unit of the BJP, making them strong candidates for the city's top civic post.
The Selection Process and Key Influences
The process moved forward significantly when Atul Garg, the BJP's Chandigarh in-charge and MP from Ghaziabad, visited the local party office on Sunday. He conducted one-on-one meetings with the party's councillors and senior local leaders, soliciting their preferences for the mayoral candidate.
According to sources, councillors shared their views individually and in confidence. This feedback has now been compiled, shifting the responsibility of the final choice to the central leadership. The local unit's dynamics and its ability to build consensus around the eventual nominee will be critical in the days ahead.
Significantly, sources indicate that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will play a substantial role in the exercise. The RSS's views are considered vital by the BJP for key post selections, and the mayoral candidate choice will be no exception. Local RSS leaders are likely to be consulted.
Internal discussions are expected to evaluate candidates on multiple parameters including:
- Loyalty to the party ideology
- Past workability and experience
- Behaviour and conduct
- Contribution to organisational duties
- Decision-making abilities
- Capacity to foster unity and take everyone along
Timeline and Opposition Stance
With the selection of candidates for all three posts—Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor—posing a challenge, the BJP is expected to announce its nominees late in the process. Internal assessments suggest that the names may only be declared in the third or fourth week of January, close to the last date for filing nominations and the election day itself.
Party insiders state there is no urgency to reveal names early, and the leadership prefers a final-stage decision due to multiple strategic considerations.
In contrast, the opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have not yet initiated formal discussions to select their candidates for the mayoral election, putting them behind the BJP in terms of preparatory groundwork.
Atul Garg, commenting on the process, stated, "I recently consulted with 19 people, including councillors and local leaders. Everyone gave their views... One thing was common: they said the party's decision will be supreme. We will finalise the candidate names soon after the election date is announced, with full consensus."
