With the high-voltage drama, Chandigarh is all set to go under mayoral election today. The elections that were scheduled for January 18 was postponed due to presiding officer Anil Masih falling ill. The first election contest between the ruling BJP and the opposition INDIA bloc would pit the BJP against an alliance made up of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 24, 2024, announced the decision to hold the Chandigarh Mayoral Elections on January 30 and also entrusted the responsibility for security to the Chandigarh Police. Following the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court the security has been tightened. #WATCH | Heavy security deployed in Chandigarh in view of the mayor election. pic.twitter.com/RTjJXb4jcB— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024In accordance with a ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the votes, which are scheduled to start at 10 AM today, will determine not only who will be mayor but also senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor.According to the sources, the all the municipal councilors will reach MC assembly hall at 10 am and the presiding officer Anil Masih will start the proceeding at 10:05 AM.In the 35-member Municipal Corporation House, the AAP and Congress alliance together have 20 votes, while the BJP has 15 votes, including 14 councilors and the additional vote of MP Kirron Kher. The number required for the win is 19.When Raghav Chadha accused the decisionFollowing the postponement of the mayoral election in Punjabs Chandigarh, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha accused the BJP of trying to postpone the election because it is scared of INDIAs triumph.Raghav Chadha, in a post on X, said that the BJP is gripped by democracy phobia--a fear of democracy and free and fair elections. He further alleged that this is a deliberate attempt to postpone elections.BJP deferred the Chandigarh Mayoral polls sensing an imminent defeat.We moved the Honble High Court for fixing an early date of election.Today the court reprimanded the administration and directed that elections be held on 30th Jan.This stands as a triumph for democracy… https://t.co/X9SnzNpcLO— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) January 24, 2024The statement from Raghav Chadha came amid allegations by Congress and AAP leaders that the BJP was trying to halt the election to avoid defeat. AAP and Congress have joined ranks to take on BJP in the mayoral polls.As part of the alliance, AAP will be contesting for the mayors seat, while Congress candidates are in the contests for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts.
