The political atmosphere in Mohali has heated up significantly following the proposed redrawing of municipal ward boundaries. This administrative exercise, crucial ahead of the civic polls expected in February or March 2026, has triggered a major controversy, with the opposition Congress accusing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of manipulating the process for electoral gain.
The Core of the Controversy
The conflict stems from the recent expansion of the Mohali Municipal Corporation limits, which saw 15 adjoining villages merged into its jurisdiction. With the total number of wards remaining capped at 50, a delimitation exercise became necessary to accommodate the expanded area. However, the proposed new map, which involves merging some residential phases and splitting others, is seen as a potential game-changer for the upcoming elections.
Congress leaders have launched a sharp attack, alleging that the boundaries are being deliberately redrawn to weaken their strongholds and provide an unfair advantage to the AAP. They contend that the process, far from being a neutral administrative task, is being conducted under political pressure from the state government and the local MLA. Despite the presence of two councillors from the ruling group in the delimitation committee, the opposition maintains that the final decisions are being dictated from above.
Electoral Equations in Flux
Political observers note that the redrawing could drastically alter existing political equations. A key concern for the Congress, which currently holds a commanding majority of 37 out of 50 seats won in the 2021 civic poll, is that if an entire residential phase is declared a single ward, the electoral base of several of its sitting councillors could be diluted. This restructuring forces incumbent representatives to build their influence from scratch in new areas, creating internal dissatisfaction and strategic challenges.
The uncertainty has left several sitting and former councillors anxious about their political future, as they may find it difficult to contest under the new ward arrangements. Signs of this unease are already becoming visible within the party ranks.
AAP's Defence and the Road Ahead
In response to the allegations, AAP legislators and leaders have firmly defended the delimitation. They argue that it is a standard and necessary procedure following a significant expansion of the municipal area. The ruling party maintains that with the corporation's size growing and the ward count fixed, increasing the geographical size of each ward is a logical step, even if it means constituting older phases as single units.
As the election dates draw nearer, the ward delimitation issue is poised to become a central flashpoint in Mohali's political discourse. While the Congress is preparing to weaponize the issue, portraying it as a case of democratic backsliding, the AAP continues to frame it as a routine administrative update. The political battle lines are clearly drawn, setting the stage for a highly charged campaign for the 2026 Mohali civic polls.
