AAP Wins Most Seats In Chandigarh Polls On Debut, BJP Mayor Among Losers

Chandigarh:

Simply forward of the Punjab election, Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) made a stellar debut in Chandigarh in the present day, profitable probably the most variety of seats within the metropolis municipal elections and pushing the BJP to second place. Arvind Kejriwal mentioned the Chandigarh consequence alerts change in Punjab, which votes early subsequent 12 months for a brand new authorities.

AAP gained 14 of 35 municipal seats, with the BJP shut behind at 12 seats. The Congress gained eight seats and the Akali Dal stayed at its earlier tally of 1 seat. Elections have been held on Friday in Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana.

“AAP’s victory within the Chandigarh Municipal Company factors at imminent change in Punjab. Individuals have rejected corrupt politics and have chosen AAP…Punjab is prepared for change,” tweeted Mr Kejriwal. The Delhi Chief Minister has been campaigning aggressively for the Punjab election.

“The Chandigarh election is a trailer, Punjab would be the full film. The temper in Chandigarh is the temper in Punjab,” added AAP’s Raghav Chadha.

In an enormous setback for the BJP, its mayor Ravi Kant Sharma and former mayor Davesh Moudgil have been each defeated by AAP candidates. AAP’s election marketing campaign committee head Chander Mukhi Sharma misplaced.

“Solely ultimate outcomes will present which get together’s vote base has shifted to AAP as a result of BJP’s voters by no means shift their loyalty,” mentioned Naresh Arora, BJP’s Chandigarh spokesperson.

Chandigarh had 26 seats within the earlier civic election. This time, a number of villages have been shifted from the Gram Panchayat and introduced underneath the city civic physique.

Within the final polls, the BJP had bagged 20 seats (77 per cent of the seats) and its then ally Akali Dal had a single seat. The BJP-Akali Dal’s rival Congress had gained 4 seats (15%). The BJP and the Akali Dal fell out earlier this 12 months over the farmer protest.

Historically, the Chandigarh civic polls held each 5 years is a straight rivalry between the BJP and Congress. AAP’s entry has modified that. With the excessive stakes Punjab election approaching in simply weeks, it turned a four-way contest between AAP, BJP, Congress and the Akali Dal-BSP alliance.

On its debut, AAP has taken 40 per cent of the seats. The BJP’s share has dropped to 43 per cent. The Congress, nonetheless, has upped its share of seats to 23 per cent.