Chandigarh mayoral polls: AAP's Kuldeep Kumar declared 'validly elected' Mayor by Supreme Court

Chandigarh mayor polls: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Kuldeep Kumar as the  ‘validly elected’ Mayor of Chandigarh. The decision follows the courts the apex court's decision that eight votes, previously deemed invalid by the returning officer, be counted in favor of Kumar.

AAP candidate for Chandigarh Mayor Election, Kuldeep Kumar celebrates.

Supreme Court ordered that he is declared to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

(Pics: AAP PRO) pic.twitter.com/6cn0WENrGR

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

The eight ballot papers in question, all marked for AAP, were initially declared invalid by Returning Officer Anil Masih due to alleged defacement. However, the Supreme Court, led by Justice DY Chandrachud, found evidence suggesting intentional manipulation on Masih's part.

#WATCH | Supreme Court orders that AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar is declared to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

He says, "This is the victory of truth. Democracy has been kept alive. I am very thankful for that...I thank… pic.twitter.com/Au6eRwWa4A

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Justice Chandrachud stated, "It is evident that the presiding officer made a deliberate attempt to deface 8 ballot papers," highlighting the irregularities in the counting process. It effectively reversed the outcome of the election, originally declared in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate.

#WATCH | Supreme Court orders that AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar is declared to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

Chandigarh Congress chief Harmohinder Singh Lucky says, "What happened in Supreme Coury is totally historic… pic.twitter.com/S2XwCNcnue

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

SC issues show cause notice to Returning Officer

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed the issuance of a show-cause notice to Anil Masih, questioning his conduct during the election. The court is suspecting serious concerns regarding his role in potentially influencing the election outcome.

#WATCH | Supreme Court orders that AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar is declared to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal says, "...I think this has happened for the first time in… pic.twitter.com/wR1bEp1Kt3

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2024

Reacting to the verdict, AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his gratitude on the microblogging platform, X, "Thank you SC for saving democracy in these difficult times!"

Arvind Kejriwal hails Kuldeep Kumar

Furthermore, Delhi Chief Minister hailed the newly elected Chandigarh Mayor Kuldeep Kumar. In a post on X, he wrote, "Kuldeep Kumar is a boy from a poor family. On behalf of the INDIA alliance, many congratulations on becoming the Mayor of Chandigarh."

कुलदीप कुमार एक गरीब घर का लड़का है। INDIA गठबंधन की ओर से चंडीगढ़ का मेयर बनने पर बहुत बहुत बधाई। ये केवल भारतीय जनतंत्र और माननीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट की वजह से संभव हुआ। हमें किसी भी हालत में अपने जनतंत्र और स्वायत्त संस्थाओं की निष्पक्षता को बचाकर रखना है।

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 20, 2024

"This became possible only because of Indian democracy and the Honorable Supreme Court. We have to preserve the impartiality of our democracy and autonomous institutions at any cost," Kejriwal added.