Punjab AAP Accuses Congress-BJP of Unethical Collaboration in Chandigarh Mayoral Elections
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Synopsis
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Congress and BJP of forming an unethical alliance during the Chandigarh mayoral elections. He claimed cross-voting by Congress councillors allowed BJP's mayoral candidate to win. The situation highlights the growing competition between AAP and the two established parties.
Key Takeaways
- The Punjab Finance Minister accused Congress and BJP of unethical collaboration.
- Cross-voting by Congress councillors facilitated BJP's victory.
- The AAP is gaining influence, posing a threat to both parties.
- Upcoming Delhi Assembly elections are anticipated to be competitive.
- The outcome may impact the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Chandigarh, Jan 30 (NationPress) Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserted on Thursday that the Congress and the BJP engaged in an unethical partnership during the Chandigarh mayoral elections.
“We executed our responsibilities, which is why the Congress’ Deputy Mayor and Senior Deputy Mayor were chosen with the support of our councillors. Congress has deceived us. Their councillors participated in cross-voting, resulting in the election of the BJP’s Mayor,” Cheema stated.
He further alleged that both the Congress and the BJP are “secretly colluding” against the AAP.
“They aim to hinder our progress. Both parties are apprehensive about the increasing popularity of AAP. They are even contesting the Delhi Assembly elections together, but we will secure a significant majority in Delhi once again,” he added.
In a remarkable outcome, the BJP triumphed over the AAP-Congress alliance in the Chandigarh mayoral elections. BJP candidate Harpreet Kaur Babla garnered 19 votes, while the AAP-Congress alliance’s candidate, Prem Lata, received 17 votes.
Harpreet Kaur won against AAP's Prem Lata by a margin of two votes, with the latter obtaining 17 votes.
In the 36-member assembly, the AAP-Congress alliance consists of 19 councillors — 13 from AAP and six from Congress, while the BJP holds 16 votes.
One vote was cast by Congress MP Manish Tewari, an ex-officio member of the corporation, bringing the total to 20 votes.
Nonetheless, Congress candidates from the INDIA Bloc, Jasbir Singh Bunty and Taruna Mehta, were elected as Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Chandigarh, respectively, each securing 19 votes.
Meanwhile, BJP's Punjab spokesperson, Pritpal Singh Baliawal, stated that by achieving the mayoral position, the BJP has unveiled the Congress-AAP alliance, demonstrating that both parties are united while misleading the public.
Baliawal highlighted that although the residents of Punjab assisted Congress in winning seven seats in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-AAP alliance is now “exposed” to the public.
He maintained that this revelation will significantly affect the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
