With the current five-year term of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (2022-2026) approaching its conclusion and the next municipal elections scheduled for December 2026, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has found itself largely on the political sidelines throughout much of the present term. This marginalization comes despite the party's initial strong showing in the 2022 elections.
AAP's Limited Success and Declining Influence
Although AAP extended support to the Congress party during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party managed to secure the mayor's position only once in 2024 over the past four years. Notably, this achievement came following intervention by the Supreme Court, highlighting the party's struggles in local political maneuvering. As the MC term enters its final year, AAP currently trails behind the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the numbers game, particularly after severing ties with Congress.
Congress Gains Ground with AAP Support
In contrast to AAP's struggles, the Congress party appears to have strengthened its political position during the same period. With crucial backing from AAP, Congress successfully elected its Member of Parliament from Chandigarh in 2024. Furthermore, Congress councillors secured the positions of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor twice—in both 2024 and 2025—demonstrating more effective political navigation within the municipal framework.
The 2025 Mayoral Election: A Revealing Setback
A particularly significant development occurred during the 2025 mayoral election, which was contested jointly by AAP and Congress. Despite the opposition alliance having numerical strength in the house, the AAP candidate lost the mayoral contest to the BJP candidate. Political analysts attributed this unexpected outcome to cross-voting within opposition ranks, revealing fractures in the alliance. However, Congress candidates managed to win the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor in the same election, further highlighting the differential political fortunes within the opposition.
From Largest Party to Diminished Strength
AAP had emerged as the single largest party in its debut Municipal Corporation election in 2022, winning an impressive 14 seats. The BJP secured 12 seats, Congress won eight seats, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) managed to secure one seat. However, over the course of the term, the political landscape shifted dramatically. The BJP expanded its strength to 18 councillors through various means, while AAP's tally reduced to just 11 councillors and Congress diminished to six councillors.
Internal Challenges and Organizational Weaknesses
Sources within AAP have cited multiple factors contributing to the party's political decline in Chandigarh. These include a weak organizational structure, limited oversight from the central leadership, and prolonged internal dissent that hampered effective functioning. "For an extended period, the city unit operated without a president or proper office-bearers due to persistent internal tussles," revealed an AAP source. "Although appointments have since been made to fill these positions, the organizational damage had already occurred, affecting the party's ground-level effectiveness."
Rebuilding Ahead of 2026 Elections
Political observers note that with the Municipal Corporation elections approaching in December 2026, AAP faces the substantial challenge of rebuilding its cadre and organizational strength. The party must address its internal weaknesses and revitalize its ground presence if it hopes to regain lost political ground in Chandigarh's civic politics. The coming months will be crucial for AAP as it attempts to reconnect with voters and rebuild the momentum that initially made it the largest party in the 2022 municipal elections.
