Punjab CM Mann alleges daylight cheating in BJP's Chandigarh mayoral win
PTC News Desk: In a surprising turn of events, BJP's Manoj Sonkar emerged victorious in the Chandigarh mayoral elections, defeating AAP's Kuldeep Kumar. However, the outcome has sparked controversy, with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal alleging "cheating in broad daylight" and expressing deep concern about the implications for future elections. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also demands FIR against Anil Masih, presiding authority of Chandigarh Mayor election
Arvind Kejriwal, in his first reaction to the election results, criticised the conduct of the mayoral elections, stating that the level of alleged cheating raises serious concerns. He emphasised that if such tactics could be employed in a mayoral election, it raises questions about the lengths the BJP might go to secure victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "The manner in which cheating has been done in broad daylight in the Chandigarh Mayor elections is extremely worrying. If these people can stoop so low in a mayor's election, then they can go to any extent in the country's elections. This is very worrying," Kejriwal expressed on social media.
ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਮੇਅਰ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਦੇ 'ਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਭਵਨ, ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਤੋਂ ਪ੍ਰੈੱਸ ਕਾਨਫਰੰਸ Live... https://t.co/KxfPMMDGnO — Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) January 30, 2024
चंडीगढ़ मेयर चुनाव में दिन दहाड़े जिस तरह से बेईमानी की गई है, वो बेहद चिंताजनक है। यदि एक मेयर चुनाव में ये लोग इतना गिर सकते हैं तो देश के चुनाव में तो ये किसी भी हद तक जा सकते हैं। ये बेहद चिंताजनक है। — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 30, 2024
The AAP had formed an alliance with the Congress for the mayoral elections, collectively holding more votes in the 35-member assembly than the BJP. Despite this numerical advantage, Manoj Sonkar of the BJP emerged as the victor, leading to accusations of foul play and electoral misconduct. Originally scheduled for January 18, the Chandigarh mayoral elections faced postponement due to the presiding officer's illness. The Punjab and Haryana High Court subsequently directed that the elections must take place on January 30.
I along with Senior Congress leader Pawan Bansal will address a joint press conference at 2:30PM at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh.
We will expose the FRAUD that BJP has committed today in #ChandigarhMayorElections — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) January 30, 2024
The controversy surrounding the election outcome has intensified political tensions, with questions raised about the integrity of the electoral process and the implications for democratic norms. The aftermath of the Chandigarh mayoral elections is likely to reverberate in the political landscape, influencing discussions on fair play and electoral transparency.
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In the Chandigarh mayoral elections, Manoj Sonkar secured victory with 16 votes, while Kumar garnered 12 votes, and an additional eight votes were deemed invalid.
Immediately following the announcement of the results, members of the INDIA bloc, consisting of AAP and Congress councillors, initiated a protest, expressing discontent with the electoral outcome. The newly elected mayor, Manoj Sonkar, is now tasked with overseeing the elections for the crucial positions of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor. The Congress has put forward its candidates for these roles, setting the stage for another round of political competition.
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, comprising 35 members, reflects a diverse political landscape. The BJP holds 14 councillors, the AAP has 13, the Congress is represented by seven members, and the Shiromani Akali Dal holds one councillor. These numbers underscore the intricate dynamics within the municipal body.
As the aftermath of the mayoral elections unfolds, the protests and tensions surrounding the voting process have added complexity to the political atmosphere in Chandigarh. The upcoming elections for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor positions will undoubtedly be closely monitored, shaping the future course of governance at the local level in the region.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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