BJP Beats AAP-Cong in Chandigarh Mayor Poll

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday won the high-stakes election for the post of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (CMC) mayor while the AAP-backed Congress candidates secured the senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor posts, in a setback to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partners.

- Mandeep Kaur Narula

CHANDIGARH:

The BJP's Harpreet Kaur Babla won the post of mayor by securing 19 votes in the 35-member House, while AAP candidate Prem Lata secured 17 votes. The INDIA bloc had 20 votes—13 from AAP, six from Congress and MP Manish Tewari's ex-officio vote. However, three cross-votes from within the alliance helped Babla secure 19 votes against Lata's 17. From the total 36 votes, the party requires 19 votes to secure the victory.

Congress candidate Jasbir Singh Bunty won the post of senior deputy mayor after defeating BJP's Bimla Dubey. Bunty polled 19 while Dubey got 17 votes. Congress nominee Taruna Mehta was elected as deputy mayor after defeating BJP contestant Lakhbir Singh Billu. Mehta got 19 while Billu secured 17 votes.