Are Congress and AAP Parting Ways for Chandigarh Mayoral Polls?
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, the Congress and AAP have announced they will no longer collaborate for the upcoming Chandigarh mayoral elections, a decision that could significantly benefit the BJP. With both parties fielding their candidates separately, tensions are rising as the election date approaches.
Key Takeaways
Congress and AAP are contesting the Chandigarh mayoral elections independently.
The BJP currently holds 18 seats in the Municipal Corporation.
The mayoral election will be conducted by a show of hands.
Cross-voting and loyalty shifts could influence election outcomes.
AAP has rejected any alliance with Congress.
Chandigarh, Jan 22 (NationPress) As the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections approach, partners of the INDIA bloc, Congress and AAP, have decided to separate and contest the mayoral elections independently, as confirmed by AAP leader Anurag Dhanda. This development potentially provides the BJP a significant advantage over its competitors.
Initially, AAP and Congress formed an alliance in Chandigarh ahead of the 2024 mayoral elections to secure both the mayoral and Lok Sabha seats; however, they faced defeat against the BJP in the 2025 mayoral election.
Within the 35-member House, which lacks an anti-defection law, the BJP holds 18 councillor positions, while AAP has 11 and Congress has six.
Additionally, Congress MP Manish Tewari serves as an ex-officio member with voting rights.
Despite not holding a clear majority, the BJP has successfully won the mayoral election three times in the last four years, primarily due to cross-voting and members changing their loyalties.
AAP has also revealed its candidates for the January 29 elections, naming Yogesh Dhingra as its mayoral candidate, with Munnavar Khan as senior deputy mayor and Jaswinder Kaur as deputy mayor. All three candidates submitted their nomination papers at the Municipal Corporation office in Sector 17.
In contrast, the BJP has nominated Saurabh Joshi for mayor, Jasmanpreet Singh for senior deputy mayor, and Suman Sharma for deputy mayor.
Congress has put forward Gurpreet Singh Gabi for the mayoral position, Sachin Galav for senior deputy mayor, and Nirmala Devi for deputy mayor.
In a twist, one AAP councillor, Ramchandra Yadav, filed for the deputy mayor position independently, with two Congress councillors proposing his nomination, hinting at possible loyalty shifts ahead of the elections.
This election will differ from previous ones, as it will be conducted via a show of hands rather than a secret ballot, making it notably distinct.
Recently, the BJP's strength in the House increased to 18 following the crossover of two AAP councillors, Poonam and Suman Sharma.
In response to rumors about a potential alliance with Congress, AAP firmly denied any collaboration, asserting that the party has “plundered the nation.”
Dhanda emphasized, “There will never be an alliance between AAP and Congress. The Congress has colluded with the BJP to exploit this country.”
This statement came shortly after the Chandigarh Congress President, Harmohinder Singh Lucky, mentioned ongoing discussions with AAP to counter the BJP.
Point of View
The recent split between Congress and AAP could reshape the political landscape in Chandigarh. While both parties aimed to unite against the BJP, their decision to run independently may lead to fragmented votes, potentially benefiting the BJP. This situation emphasizes the unpredictable nature of political alliances and their impact on local governance.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Congress and AAP contesting separately?
Congress and AAP have decided to separate for the Chandigarh mayoral elections to contest independently, as confirmed by AAP leader Anurag Dhanda.
What is the current composition of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation?
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation consists of 35 members, with the BJP holding 18 councillors, AAP with 11, and Congress with 6.
Who are the candidates for the upcoming mayoral elections?
AAP has nominated Yogesh Dhingra for mayor, while Congress has fielded Gurpreet Singh Gabi. The BJP has chosen Saurabh Joshi for the mayoral position.
What has AAP said about the possibility of an alliance with Congress?
AAP has firmly rejected any possibility of forming an alliance with Congress, claiming that they have collaborated with the BJP to exploit the country.
How will the mayoral elections be conducted this time?
Unlike previous elections held by secret ballot, this time the mayoral elections will be conducted through a show of hands.
