Chandigarh Mayoral Polls: Congress-AAP Alliance Aims to Retain Position Amid BJP’s Cross-Voting Bid

Chandigarh: The upcoming mayoral election for Chandigarh is set to be a crucial contest between the Congress-AAP alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the two major political groups prepare to battle for the prestigious post.

The mayoral seat is reserved for women this year, adding a unique dimension to the contest. The outcome will have significant implications for the city’s political landscape, as the Congress-AAP alliance looks to retain control, while the BJP aims to snatch the seat through strategic cross-voting.

Key Contestants: AAP’s Prem Lata vs. BJP’s Harpreet Babla

The primary contest in the mayoral election is between Prem Lata from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Harpreet Babla from the BJP. AAP’s Prem Lata is a 46-year-old government school teacher, who comes with an academic background and is the wife of a retired Indian Air Force officer.

On the other hand, Harpreet Babla is a seasoned BJP councillor, marking her second term. She is the daughter of a retired Army Colonel and is married to Devinder Singh Babla, a former Congress councillor who switched to BJP.

Along with the mayoral race, the election for the Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions will also take place. Congress has fielded Jasbir Singh Bunty and Taruna Mehta for these posts, respectively.

Political Dynamics and Alliance Tactics

The alliance between Congress and AAP, part of the larger INDIA bloc, holds a slim majority with 19 councillors in the 35-member Municipal Corporation House.

The AAP contributes 13 votes, and the Congress adds six. Additionally, the alliance has one vote from the ex-officio member, MP Manish Tewari, bringing the total to 20 votes.

However, the BJP, with 16 councillors, is relying on cross-voting and defections to tilt the balance in their favor. The party’s strategy hinges on gaining three additional votes, which they hope to secure through defections or breaking the alliance.

This heightened political drama is compounded by the recent defection of Congress councillor Gurbax Rawat, who joined the BJP on January 27, further intensifying the stakes for both sides.

To prevent “poaching” of their members, the Congress-AAP alliance has relocated their councillors to a hotel in Punjab’s Ropar town.

This move is intended to prevent any cross-voting or defections before the vote takes place. The AAP leadership has expressed concerns over the unity of their alliance, with reports of internal bickering, which adds another layer of uncertainty to the election outcome.

Security and Election Protocols

The election will be conducted under strict supervision, with Justice Jaishree Thakur, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, appointed as the independent observer.

The election proceedings will be recorded on camera to ensure transparency and fairness.

The election will take place via secret ballot, with strict guidelines in place to prevent any disruption or malpractice. Voters will not be allowed to display their ballots to others during the voting process.

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Additionally, no mobile phones, cameras, or electronic gadgets will be permitted within the polling station. Security measures around the Municipal Corporation building have been heightened, and the District Magistrate has imposed restrictions on gatherings within a 100-meter radius to maintain peace during the election.

The Role of the BJP and the Congress-AAP Alliance

The BJP is hoping that its aggressive tactics and efforts to win over Congress councillors will yield results. The party’s goal is to secure a majority through defections and cross-voting, which would allow them to claim the mayor’s post despite being in the minority.

However, the Congress-AAP alliance, though facing internal challenges, is confident that their unity and strategic vote bank will hold strong.

The election for the mayoral post is an important part of the five-year rotational system, and this marks the fourth year of the term. Historically, the BJP has dominated the mayoral race, holding the position for nine consecutive terms before the Congress-AAP alliance took over.

The contest this year is poised to be one of the most intense in recent memory, with both alliances trying to outmaneuver each other in a battle of political wits.

What to Expect on Election Day

Voting will begin at 11 am, with the ballot counting to take place immediately afterward. The election will be conducted in a highly secured environment, ensuring that no external factors influence the outcome. The careful preparations for the election underscore the high stakes for the city’s political future.

As Chandigarh’s political landscape gears up for a fierce battle, all eyes will be on how the voting unfolds and whether the Congress-AAP alliance will retain control or if the BJP can break through with cross-voting and defections.

The outcome will be a significant milestone in the ongoing tussle for political power in Chandigarh.

This election, with its mix of political maneuvering, strategic alliances, and intense competition, is one that will shape the future of Chandigarh’s municipal governance.