Mayor elections in Chandigarh have been postponed till January 29. The date of the election and the election process were challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court has given this decision today (Monday). However, at the time when the court’s decision came, the leaders of all the political parties had reached the Municipal Corporation building to file nominations.
Congress and Aam Aadmi Party had challenged the election process and the date of the election in the High Court.
The High Court gave these three orders-
1. Advocate Ferry Soft said that two arguments were given in the petitions filed by us in the High Court. One of which was regarding the date of election. Mayor Kuldeep Singh had said in the petition that his tenure is till February. But the rule is being violated by conducting elections first.
After which the court heard all the arguments. The mayor argued that he took over the term on 20 February 2024. Whereas his term is not being completed due to the elections on 24 January. The court ordered that last year the mayor’s election was held on 30 January. Whereas the Supreme Court had given its verdict in the month of February. In such a situation, the tenure of the mayor has been kept till 29 January. The administration has been told that elections can be held after 29.
2. The argument regarding the election process was told that a proposal was passed in the Municipal Corporation on 29 October. It was clarified in this that the election of the Mayor will be done by raising hands. For the election process, the court has said that the administration should reconsider it. Because the proposal has been passed. The administration has not yet approved it.
3. Orders have been issued regarding videography and its security and election officer.
BJP said – copy of the High Court order has not yet come
On this occasion, senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon said in a conversation with the media that his candidates have filed nominations. However, the copy of the High Court order has not yet come. Now the lawyer sahab has told that the elections will now be held after 29 instead of 24.
BJP announced candidates
BJP has already announced its candidates for the mayor election. BJP has nominated Harpreet Kaur Babla for the post of Mayor. While the names of Senior Deputy Mayor Bimla Dubey and Deputy Mayor Lakhbir Singh Billu have been decided. All have filed their nominations.
Congress and AAP have not revealed their cards
Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are contesting the elections together in Chandigarh. The post of Mayor will be given to AAP and the posts of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be given to Congress. Six women councillors of AAP have presented their claim for the post of Mayor.
Prem Lata, Jaswinder Kaur and Anju Katyal are leading in the race for the ticket. While Jasbir Singh Bunty from Congress has filed nomination for the post of Senior Deputy Mayor and Taruna Mehta for the post of Deputy Mayor. Congress President HS Lucky claimed that if everything goes well, the alliance will win the election.
This is the position of parties in the Municipal Corporation
If we look at the current situation, BJP is the largest party in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. BJP has a total of 15 councillors. While Congress MP Manish Tiwari is currently in Chandigarh. In such a situation, Congress has eight councillors and AAP has 13 councillors. The magic number for victory here is 18.