On Tuesday, the Congress accused the BJP of a "shameless capture" of the democratic system in India following the victory of the BJP candidate in the Chandigarh mayoral election, defeating the INDIA bloc nominee. The BJP retained the three top posts in the mayoral polls, dealing a setback to the AAP and Congress, who had contested the elections as allies.
AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal criticized the BJP for declaring opposition votes invalid to secure the mayor's election, calling it a brazen and shameless capture of the democratic system. He warned against assuming that the BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, would allow democracy to function if they win in 2024.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera expressed no surprise at the BJP's actions on January 30, stating that the BJP chose the date to "kill democracy in Chandigarh."
After the BJP's victory, councillors from the INDIA bloc parties protested in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation House, boycotting the elections for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor positions. BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar secured the mayor's post, defeating AAP's Kuldeep Kumar, with eight votes declared invalid. BJP nominees Kuljit Sandhu and Rajinder Sharma were elected senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, respectively.
Opposition councillors alleged tampering with the ballot papers, a claim dismissed by the BJP. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed "serious concern" over the "cheating" during the elections. The incident highlights tensions and accusations surrounding the electoral process in Chandigarh.
(With Agency Inputs)
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