As Chandigarh mayoral polls near, race for top posts heats up; nominations to be filed on January 22
Speculation about a possible AAP-Congress tie-up had been doing the rounds ahead of the Chandigarh mayoral polls, but recent sharp exchanges between leaders of the two parties have diluted the buzz.
With the mayoral election in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation slated to be held on January 29, political activity has intensified in the city, even as parties are yet to finalise their candidates. The BJP, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are currently considering probable names for the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, with nominations scheduled to be filed on January 22.
Within the BJP, four sitting councillors — Mahesh Inder Sidhu, Kanwarjit Rana, Saurabh Joshi and Dalip Sharma — are being considered as probable contenders for the mayor’s post. Party sources said no final decision has been taken yet, with seniority, organisational work, balance between representatives from various areas, and internal acceptability expected to influence the decision. Keen to retain control of the mayor’s office, the BJP is likely to firm up its candidate after internal consultations closer to the nomination date.
The AAP, meanwhile, is also deliberating over multiple names. Prem Lata, Yogesh Dhingra and Damanpreet Singh are being discussed as probable candidates. AAP leader Sunny Ahluwalia said the party would take a final call in the matter only a day before the nominations. “We will hold a meeting on January 21 and decide the final candidates as nominations for mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are to be filed on January 22,” he said.
No clarity on AAP-Congress alliance
Speculation about a possible understanding between the AAP and the Congress has been doing the rounds, but as of now, there is no clarity on any alliance. If the AAP and Congress agree to an alliance, then Congress councillors would contest for the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts, while the mayor post is expected to be contested by an AAP councillor.
H S Lucky, president of the Chandigarh unit of Congress, said, “A meeting has been scheduled for today (Friday), where we will take a decision on the alliance with the AAP and regarding candidates for the three posts.”
Recent sharp exchanges between leaders of the two parties have, however, diluted the buzz around a tie-up. Both parties have publicly questioned each other’s intentions, indicating that they may be preparing independently for the mayoral contest.
Numerically, the House presents a tight contest. The municipal corporation has 35 elected councillors and one ex-officio vote of the sitting Member of Parliament, taking the effective strength to 36.
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A simple majority of 19 votes is required to secure the mayor’s post. The BJP currently has 18 councillors after two AAP councillors recently defected to the party, leaving it just one vote short of the majority.
On the other side, the AAP and Congress together account for 18 votes — comprising 11 councillors of the AAP, six of the Congress, and the ex-officio vote of Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari. However, leaders of both parties have reiterated that there is no formal alliance in place at present, making the final outcome uncertain.
The mayoral election is significant as the mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor are elected annually through an indirect election, even though councillors have a five-year term. This year’s election will also be historic, as it will be held through a “show-of-hands” system instead of a secret ballot, following the controversy surrounding the 2024 mayoral polls.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
