Chandigarh Mayoral Elections Ignite Political Confrontation Among Major Parties
The aftermath of the Chandigarh mayoral elections has erupted into a fierce political debate, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress releasing sharply divergent statements on Thursday. The electoral outcome has triggered allegations of manipulation, claims of a development mandate, and assertions of a principled symbolic contest, highlighting deep-seated tensions in municipal governance.
AAP Levels Allegations of Conspiracy and Betrayal
AAP Delhi MLA and Chandigarh in-charge Jarnail Singh launched a scathing attack, asserting that the mayoral elections were conducted in a manner that allowed the BJP to impose its mayor with the open support of the Congress. He characterized this as exposing the BJP's hunger for power, accusing the party of aligning with so-called rival parties to maintain control.
Singh referenced instances from other regions, such as the Ambernath Corporation in Maharashtra, where he alleged an open alliance between BJP and Congress to defeat Shiv Sena. He also reminded that in the 2021 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls, AAP emerged as the single largest party, yet claimed the BJP repeatedly disrespected the public mandate through conspiracies. He accused Congress of betrayal, stating it openly came forward to assist BJP whenever needed.
Questioning the public benefit of what he termed a mayor imposed through manipulation, Singh criticized BJP's promises on 24x7 water supply, sanitation, waste management, and cow shelters. He alleged sanitation in Chandigarh was in a pathetic state, with garbage being dumped in Punjab and Haryana dumping grounds, and described the condition of gaushalas as worse than slaughterhouses. Despite double and triple-engine governments, he added, common people have gained nothing.
BJP Hails Victory as Endorsement for Development
In contrast, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, who oversaw the mayoral election as central in-charge, hailed the outcome as a landmark victory. He stated it was more than an electoral success, amounting to a clear endorsement by the people for Chandigarh's progressive and development-oriented future.
Tawde announced the formation of a C7 Committee to ensure planned and coordinated development of Chandigarh. This committee will include the mayor, senior deputy mayor, deputy mayor, and three BJP councillors, functioning under the leadership of state president Jitendra Pal Malhotra. Its focus will be on implementing development works and executing constructive suggestions in the larger interest of the city.
Celebrations ensued at the BJP state office in Sector 33 (Kamalam), where workers marked the victory with dhol, laddoos, and firecrackers. The office echoed with excitement, enthusiasm, and victory as party workers congratulated one another. The party emphasized its objective was not power, but service, pledging to work unitedly to make Chandigarh a clean, safe, smart, and progressive city.
Congress Defends Participation as Symbolic and Principled Battle
H S Lucky, president of the Chandigarh Pradesh Congress Committee, defended the party's stance, stating Congress was fully aware it did not have the numbers in the mayoral election but chose to fight a symbolic and principled battle against the BJP. He said Congress appealed to all councillors to vote according to conscience and in the larger interest of Chandigarh, keeping in mind the city's long-term welfare.
Recalling the Congress tenure, Lucky noted that Chandigarh consistently secured the No. 1 position in national rankings, with the Municipal Corporation holding fixed deposits exceeding Rs 500 crore, citing this as evidence of strong financial management and robust development. He contrasted this with the last nine years, alleging a complete reversal, marked by broken roads, an acute fund shortage in the MC, and an absence of new development projects.
Lucky claimed the 24x7 water supply project failed entirely, and overall civic conditions had deteriorated from bad to worse, underscoring the party's commitment to principled opposition despite electoral constraints.
The divergent narratives from AAP, BJP, and Congress underscore the intense political rivalry and differing visions for Chandigarh's governance, setting the stage for ongoing debates over municipal accountability and development priorities.
