The recent mayoral election in Chandigarh has stirred controversy as BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar clinched victory over the Congress-AAP alliance contender Kuldeep Tita. This electoral showdown marks the inaugural test of the Opposition’s INDIA alliance against the BJP and signifies the maiden collaboration between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress. However, the aftermath of Sonkar’s win has been marred by allegations of electoral malpractice, prompting cries of foul play from the opposition camp.
Votes Gained for the Mayor Post in Election
Manoj Sonkar secured the mayoral position with 16 votes, while Kuldeep Tita managed 12 votes. Notably, eight votes were deemed invalid, fueling suspicions of rigging among opposition leaders. The contentious outcome led to uproar as protests erupted following Sonkar’s ascension to the mayor’s seat. With tensions escalating, marshals were summoned to restore order amidst the chaos. Sonkar, now the newly appointed Mayor of Chandigarh, is tasked with overseeing the subsequent election for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor positions.
The Chandigarh mayoral polls, originally scheduled for January 18, were postponed to February 6 due to the presiding officer’s illness. Following opposition councillors’ petition to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the court ordered the rescheduled polls to be conducted on January 30.
Opponent Crises Foul
Accusations of electoral misconduct surfaced as Congress leader Pawan Bansal alleged deliberate mishandling of ballot papers, asserting that the rejection of eight votes was premeditated. Bansal criticized the presiding officer, accusing them of favoritism towards the BJP candidate. He lamented the lack of access granted to Congress and AAP agents during the voting process, citing an orchestrated effort to ensure the BJP’s victory.
Question Claimed
Further exacerbating the situation, Congress President H S Lucky condemned the purported manipulation of the election, labelling it a grave injustice and a threat to democracy. He questioned the integrity of the presiding officer, alleging partisan bias in the invalidation of votes. Lucky decried the incident as a blatant abuse of electoral procedures and called for accountability which was even captured in the video, where some writings were done.
Voting Process
The voting process, which commenced after a one-hour delay, unfolded under the supervision of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh. The tardiness of the deputy commissioner and some BJP councillors contributed to the delayed start of the polls. Notably, Member of Parliament Kirron Kher, serving as the ex-officio member of the House, cast her ballot ahead of others. A total of 36 votes were cast during the hour-long process, with the AAP and Congress securing a combined total of 20 votes, while the BJP garnered 15 votes, supplemented by one from ex-officio member Kher.
In an unprecedented move, media personnel were denied access to the press gallery, limiting coverage of the election. Despite the exclusion, reporters were able to observe the polling process via a screen installed in the conference room, albeit without audio output.
The Overall View
The contentious Chandigarh mayoral election underscores the political tensions and allegations of impropriety surrounding the electoral process. As the first electoral showdown between the Opposition’s INDIA alliance and the BJP, the outcome has far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Chandigarh and beyond. Amidst calls for transparency and accountability, the aftermath of the election signals a contentious chapter in the region’s political discourse.
