Triangular fight for Chandigarh Mayoral poll as Cong-AAP alliance talks fail to materialise

AAP fielded councillor Yogesh Dhingra (from Ward 25) for Mayor, Munawar Khan (Ward 29) for Senior Deputy Mayor and Jaswinder Kaur (Ward 1) for Deputy Mayor.

The BJP also entered the fray, nominating Saurabh Joshi (Ward 12) for Mayor, Jasmanpreet Singh (Ward 32) for Senior Deputy Mayor and Suman Sharma (Ward 4) for Deputy Mayor.

BJP candidates file nominations for Mayoral Election at MC Building in sector 17 Chandigarh.(Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Ramchandra Yadav goes solo

AAP councillor from Ward 15, Ramchandra Yadav, also filed his nomination as an Independent candidate for the post of Deputy Mayor, turning the contest for the post into a four-cornered fight. With Yadav’s entry, there are now four candidates in the fray for the Deputy Mayor’s post.

Rejecting allegations of rebellion, Yadav said, “I am a soldier of the Aam Aadmi Party. I have not left the party. Contesting elections is my right. I am still in the AAP. Rebellion would have been if I had joined BJP or Congress.”

AAP councillorRamchandra Yadav file nomination as independent candidate for the post of deputy mayor. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

He said he had informed senior party leaders about the matter and demanded action against those who had indulged in cross-voting earlier.

“Five complaints have been filed against me, but there is no talk of any action. Time will tell — if the party does not want me, I will withdraw,” Yadav said.

Congress attacks AAP

Chandigarh Congress president H S Lucky said the party had wanted an alliance, but the AAP failed to control its cadre. “One of their councillors has even filed as an Independent. This shows their internal situation,” he said.

Gurpreet Singh Gabi said it was “ironic” that the AAP could not manage its own councillors. “On January 29, the Congress will have its Mayor. The AAP will be left with only nine councillors. They cannot manage their own house. We will swing votes from seven to 14. Numbers are just a game — we are fighting with morale,” he claimed, also alleging discontent within the BJP.

Chandigarh Congress candidates file nominations for Mayoral Election at MC Building in sector 17 Chandigarh. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

BJP mayoral candidate Saurabh Joshi said his primary goal was to work for the people of Chandigarh and called the trust reposed in him by the party and citizens an honour.

“Today I realised that serving silently within the party is also equally important. I do not consider victory or defeat the ultimate benchmark,” Joshi said.

He said that if elected, he would use his one-year tenure to fulfil the vision he has for the city. Thanking both the local and top leadership of the BJP and Congress, Joshi said the BJP does not work only for elections, but treats elections as a learning process.

“We do not fight a numbers battle, we talk about public interest. I thank the party’s top leadership for considering me worthy of this responsibility,” he said.

He further said that Congress and AAP councillors were fighting over numbers and posts, while the BJP believed in politics of service and public welfare. “If I get the mayor’s post, I will serve the people with complete dedication,” he added.

AAP denies rebellion

AAP state president Vijay Pal said he had spoken to Ramchandra Yadav and the matter would be resolved soon. “There is no rebellion in the party. We even offered him the post of Deputy Mayor. We are all members of one family,” he said.

AAP mayoral candidate Yogesh Dhingra said the party was closely monitoring all political equations.

Reacting to Yadav’s independent nomination, Dhingra said minor differences sometimes cropped up within parties but would be sorted out. “The party is united and all issues will be resolved through dialogue,” he said.

Expressing concern over the city’s condition, Dhingra said Chandigarh’s roads were in poor shape and corruption cases were surfacing frequently. “If I get the chance, I will work honestly for the city’s development and to address public grievances,” he added.

AAP fears defection, keeps councillors under watch

The AAP is apprehensive about possible defections and has reportedly shifted all its 11 councillors to a hotel in Rupnagar (Ropar).

According to party sources, their mobile phones have been switched off and they will be kept out of Chandigarh till the completion of the election process.

Political analysts said the understanding between the Congress and AAP remained only verbal. Both parties had different strategies for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. An alliance in Chandigarh could have forced them to justify their stand before voters in Punjab. Under pressure from their Punjab units, both parties decided to contest separately.

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has 35 elected councillors, while the city’s Member of Parliament is also an ex-officio member, taking the total voting strength to 36. A candidate will require at least 19 votes to be elected Mayor.

The BJP currently has 18 councillors, the AAP has 11, while the Congress has six. Had Congress and AAP come together, they would have had a combined strength of 17 councillors and, with the MP’s vote, the contest could have turned tight. However, with the alliance off, the BJP is being seen in a comparatively stronger position.

As per the MC election programme, polling will be held on January 29, 2026, at 11 am at the Assembly Hall, New Deluxe Building, Sector 17. Nominated councillor Dr Ramneek Singh Bedi will preside over the proceedings.