The political dynamics of the Chandigarh mayoral elections bore similarities to Delhi’s political scene but with a crucial difference. While the primary contenders—Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress—were the same, the electoral battle was a direct face-off between two factions rather than a triangular contest like in Delhi.
In Delhi, AAP and Congress are bitter rivals contesting against each other, but in Chandigarh, the two parties had formed a pre-decided alliance similar to their Lok Sabha election strategy. Together, they aimed to take on the BJP, hoping to oust it from the municipal power corridor.
However, the BJP emerged victorious in Chandigarh Mayor Elections, securing the mayoral seat and gaining a significant political edge. Interestingly, Congress also seemed to benefit from the outcome, but the biggest loser in this equation was undoubtedly Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party.
A Clear Win for BJP, AAP Left Empty-Handed
BJP candidate Harpreet Kaur triumphed over the AAP-Congress alliance’s joint candidate, Prem Lata. While the alliance did manage to clinch the positions of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, both of which went to Congress candidates, the overall power equation shifted in BJP’s favor. This turn of events left AAP struggling to cope with an unexpected defeat.
The mayoral seat was reserved for women this time, and BJP strategically fielded candidates for all three key positions. On the other hand, AAP contested for the mayoral post, while the Congress took the remaining two positions under the alliance agreement.
Cross-Voting: The Game-Changer in BJP’s Favor
The first vote in the mayoral election was cast by Congress MP Manish Tiwari, followed by other councillors. However, even before the voting concluded, controversy erupted when an AAP councillor raised objections over a ballot paper issue. Jaswinder Kaur, a councillor from Ward No. 1, alleged that there was an extra dot on the ballot paper, demanding a fresh one. This led to brief chaos but was ultimately dismissed.
In an attempt to prevent cross-voting, AAP and Congress resorted to a familiar political strategy: isolating their councillors in a resort to ensure unity. While Punjab Police monitored AAP councillors, Congress relied on its own leaders for supervision. Despite these preventive measures, their strategy failed, as three alliance councillors defied party lines and voted in favor of the BJP.
Given the controversy in the previous elections, the Supreme Court had appointed a retired High Court judge as an independent observer. Justice Jayashree Thakur supervised the entire election process, ensuring transparency through continuous videography, CCTV surveillance, and strict electricity supply management within the assembly hall.
Where Did AAP-Congress Go Wrong?
The final vote tally revealed a stunning blow to the AAP-Congress alliance. BJP’s mayoral candidate Harpreet Kaur secured 19 votes, while AAP’s Prem Lata managed only 17 votes. Congress, however, successfully claimed both the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor posts, with their candidate also receiving 19 votes.
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation consists of 35 councillors, along with the city’s Member of Parliament, bringing the total voting count to 36. Every vote was accounted for, with none declared invalid, confirming that cross-voting had indeed taken place—something that played directly into BJP’s hands.
Breaking down the numbers, BJP had 16 councillors after Congress councillor Gurbaksh Rawat defected to their side. This reduced Congress’ tally from seven to six, while AAP held 13 councillors. Factoring in the MP’s vote, the alliance should have secured 20 votes. However, the final tally showed BJP receiving 19 votes, exposing a breach in alliance discipline.
Since the voting process was conducted via secret ballot, the identities of the cross-voters remain unknown. If AAP councillors remained loyal, then Congress members are the likely suspects. This raises concerns over Congress’ internal discipline and commitment to the alliance.
A Political Setback for Kejriwal Ahead of Delhi Elections
For AAP, this loss isn’t just about losing a mayoral seat; it’s a dent in Arvind Kejriwal’s credibility right before the crucial Delhi Assembly elections. It signals cracks in the AAP-Congress alliance, which was expected to serve as a blueprint for their Lok Sabha election strategy. With this outcome, BJP has gained a psychological upper hand, while Congress finds itself in an ambiguous position—benefiting from the results but also facing internal discord.
This election outcome could have ripple effects on AAP’s broader electoral prospects, making it a significant event in the ever-evolving political landscape of India.
