Chandigarh Mayoral polls: It’s a triangular contest, for now

Sandeep Rana

Chandigarh, January 13

Still hopeful of a last-minute alliance, AAP and the Congress filed nominations for the mayoral polls today. The elections will be held at the assembly hall of the local Municipal Corporation building on January 18.

Elections to three posts will be held via secret ballot on January 18

From the ruling BJP, councillor Manoj Kumar Sonkar, Kuljeet Singh Sandhu and Rajinder Sharma filed nominations for the posts of Mayor (SC reserved seat), Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively.

While AAP reposed its faith in Kuldeep Dhalor as its candidate for the post of Mayor, it has fielded Neha Musavat and Poonam Sandeep Kumar for the posts of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively. The AAP has fielded all SC candidates this time.

From the Congress, which yesterday took a lead in announcing the names of candidates, Jasbir Singh Bunty, Gurpreet Gabi and Nirmala filed their nominations for the top three positions, respectively.

Though AAP and the Congress have fielded their own candidates to make it a triangular contest, they are still hopeful of a last-minute alliance. “So far, an alliance has not been announced by the high commands of the two parties. If it materialises, we have the option of withdrawing nominations for the post of Mayor provided AAP gives us assurance to support our candidate in the Lok Sabha elections,” said HS Lucky, city Congress president, after the nominations. While exuding confidence to win the polls, Dr SS Ahluwalia, co-in charge, Chandigarh AAP, shared, “We have not got any go-ahead for the alliance yet. In case, something comes up in this regard, we will make arrangements accordingly.” The parties have the option of withdrawing nominations till voting day, i.e. January 18.

City BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhtora said the party would win the elections. If the two parties unite, then they will collectively have 20 votes against the BJP’s 15 votes. However, cross-voting could also play a role. Meanwhile, senior party leaders and councillors were present at the time of nominations. The former city BJP chiefs Sanjay Tandon and Arun Sood, along with incumbent president, accompanied the candidates. From the Congress, former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was there.

Third poll of this MC term

In the previous two mayoral polls of the current MC term, the Congress had abstained from contest as well as voting. The SAD, with its lone councillor, had boycotted the polls. Both times, the BJP won with a narrow margin in the straight competition with AAP.

AAP councillors return to lodge

After nominations, all AAP councillors returned to The Kikar Lodge, Kharar. They will stay out of station till the polling day.