Chandigarh, January 30:
The much-anticipated Chandigarh Mayor election is set to take place today, with voting scheduled to begin at 11 AM in the Municipal Corporation Assembly Hall. Along with the Mayor, the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor will also be elected during this process.
Heavy Security Deployment at Municipal Office
In light of the election, stringent security measures have been implemented around the Municipal Corporation building. Barricades have been placed on all entry points leading to the premises, restricting general movement. Key administrative officials, including the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), are present at the location to oversee the proceedings.
Current Political Standings
The vote tally among the key parties is as follows:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 16 councillors
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): 13 councillors
- Congress: 6 councillors and 1 MP
Congress Leaders in Conflict Over Election Strategy
Tensions within the Congress party have surfaced ahead of the election, with a verbal clash between Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari. Raja Warring has questioned the party’s alliance decisions and suggested that the leadership should intervene to reconsider the coalition. In response, Manish Tewari stated that he is unaware of Warring’s remarks but assured that every Congress councillor will abide by the party’s decision for the election.
Election to Be Held Under Independent Oversight
Following irregularities in the previous mayoral election, outgoing Mayor Kuldeep Kumar had petitioned the Supreme Court to conduct the election via a show of hands rather than ballot papers. The Supreme Court has since mandated that the election be conducted under the supervision of an independent observer, with the entire process being recorded on video.
FIR Filed Against Chandigarh Mayor and His Brother-in-Law
Just a day before the voting, a case was registered against incumbent Mayor Kuldeep Kumar and his brother-in-law based on a complaint from a Ram Darbar resident. The complaint alleges that ₹75,000 was taken from the complainant in exchange for securing a job. The Crime Branch has launched an investigation into the matter.
Concerns Over Cross-Voting
Fearing potential cross-voting, political parties have taken measures to keep their councillors under close watch. AAP councillors have been accommodated at Kikar Lodge in Ropar, while Congress members were staying in Ludhiana before leaving for Chandigarh this morning.
BJP vs. AAP-Congress Alliance in the Final Contest
The mayoral contest is primarily between BJP candidate Harpreet Kaur Babla and the AAP-Congress alliance’s candidate Prem Lata. Both sides are making last-minute efforts to secure votes and gain a majority.
With heightened security and political drama unfolding, all eyes are on Chandigarh’s Municipal Corporation as the city gears up for a decisive election day.
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