The BJP emerged victorious in the Chandigarh mayoral elections on Tuesday, dealing a setback to the opposition INDIA bloc, which faced its first electoral challenge against the party since its inception.
Manoj Sonkar, the BJP’s mayoral candidate, secured 16 votes, defeating his rival Kuldeep, who was jointly supported by the AAP and the Congress, and garnered 12 votes. Eight votes were deemed invalid.
The fresh scheduling of the elections, described by AAP MP Raghav Chadha as the inaugural direct electoral face-off between the BJP and the opposition bloc, INDIA, occurred on the order of the Punjab-Haryana High Court.
Earlier in the day, tight security measures were put in place at the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh ahead of the mayoral polls.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, on January 24, announced the decision to conduct the Chandigarh Mayoral Elections on January 30, entrusting the responsibility for security to the Chandigarh Police.
After the mayoral polls were rescheduled due on account of sickness of the presiding officer, Congress and AAP leaders alleged that the BJP deliberately delayed the polls, sensing defeat.
This marks the first instance of the Congress and AAP joining forces for an electoral contest since the establishment of the Opposition bloc, INDIA. Under their agreement, the AAP fielded a candidate for the mayoral position, while the Congress nominated individuals for the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor.