Premium

Holding picture of his father, Saurabh Joshi pledges people-first governance

Amid the tears, Joshi said his journey was shaped not by political noise but by values instilled at home. “I come from a place where politics was not about slogans, but about service as a way of life,” he said, recalling how his father dedicated his life to the marginalised and the forgotten. “For him, the Dalit, the deprived and the oppressed were not words — they were family.”

3 min readChandigarhJan 30, 2026 08:36 AM IST

Saurabh Joshi with his supporters after elected Mayor during Chandigarh's Mayoral Election at MC Building in Sector 17 Chandigarh on Thursday. Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh

Moments after being elected Mayor of Chandigarh on Thursday, Saurabh Joshi delivered an emotional speech in the Municipal Corporation (MC) House, holding the picture of his father with him, and crediting his late father’s life of service as the foundation of his political journey and vowing to uphold a politics rooted in “humanity, compassion and justice”.

Amid the tears, Joshi said his journey was shaped not by political noise but by values instilled at home. “I come from a place where politics was not about slogans, but about service as a way of life,” he said, recalling how his father dedicated his life to the marginalised and the forgotten. “For him, the Dalit, the deprived and the oppressed were not words — they were family.”

Joshi said he had grown up watching his father begin his mornings listening to the struggles of labourers and end his nights worrying about the poor. “At home, comfort was never discussed. I was taught only one lesson — if someone has tears in their eyes, humanity must come before politics,” he said.

Reflecting on his 14-year-long political journey, Joshi admitted it had not been easy. “There were years when my name was not called, when I had no stage, when it felt like waiting itself was my destiny,” he said, adding that his father’s words kept him going: the right path may take longer, but it never returns empty-handed.

He also acknowledged the role of his family, friends, senior citizens of his ward, youth supporters and residents of the city. “When I was tired, they made me walk. When I fell silent, they became my voice,” he said, attributing his victory entirely to their faith and blessings.

Later, while speaking to the media, the newly elected Mayor said he would discharge his duties with complete commitment and place public welfare at the centre of his administration. Joshi said the mayoral post was a responsibility of service, not authority, and stressed that the needs of every resident — particularly the marginalised and unheard — would remain his top priority. Reiterating his stand on clean governance, Joshi said corruption would not be tolerated in any form.

“Public trust is paramount, and it is my responsibility to safeguard it,” he said. He added that transparency, compassion and honesty would guide his decisions, and that sustained efforts would be made to steer Chandigarh’s development through integrity, accountability and collective participation.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

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

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
chandigarh

Loading Taboola...