FIR Against Outgoing Mayor Threatens AAP-Congress Majority in Poll Today

Kuldeep Dhalor booked for corruption; his absence and possible cross-voting could sway crucial election in favour of BJP

- Mandeep Kaur Narula

CHANDIGARH: Just a day before the high-stakes mayoral elections in Chandigarh, the incumbent mayor and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor, Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor, was on Wednesday booked in a corruption case, triggering political turmoil.

The timing of the FIR, which could potentially lead to Dhalor's arrest, left the AAP-Congress alliance on edge, with concerns that his absence from the vote could jeopardise their 20-vote majority in the 35-member municipal corporation (MC) House. A party needs 19 votes to win.

Concerned about the mayor's arrest before voting, AAP is reportedly considering approaching the Punjab and Haryana high court for a stay.

The FIR stemmed from a complaint by a Ram Darbar resident who accused Dhalor's brother-in-law of accepting ₹75,000 bribe in exchange for a job in MC, allegedly at the behest of the mayor. AAP vehemently denied the allegations, calling the complaint baseless and accusing the BJP of using it to disrupt the mayoral election. SS Ahluwalia, co-incharge of AAP Chandigarh, dismissed the complaint as another "bundle of lies" orchestrated by the BJP.