AAP gains strength in Amritsar, 2 independent councillors join party

Two more Independent councillors joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), increasing their strength to 38 in the General House of the Municipal Corporation. The AAP is now just three seats away from Congress, which holds a majority of 41 seats. AAP leaders are now claiming that the Mayor will be from their party.

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Today, the two Independent councillors, who were elected from the central Assembly constituency, joined the AAP in the presence of senior party leaders. Anita Rani from Ward No. 67 and Usha Rani from Ward No. 63, both elected as Independent councillors, had been in touch with local AAP leaders.

AAP had initially won only 24 seats out of 85 but now has 31 councillors in the MC House, following the addition of six Independent councillors and a BJP turncoat after the election results were announced on December 21. AAP also has seven MLA members in the MC House, bringing their total to 38. This development brings AAP closer to the mayor’s chair. The move makes things more challenging for Congress, which currently has 41 councillors. The BJP has only eight, and the SAD has four councillors. It may not be easy for Congress to maintain its majority, as a few more councillors from other parties may join AAP in the coming days.

Both councillors joined the party in the presence of Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was in-charge of the party’s election efforts, which had fallen short of securing a majority to appoint a Mayor. Senior leaders, including Jatinderpal Singh Moti Bhatia, welcomed Anita Rani and Usha Rani into AAP. Senior AAP leaders assured the two councillors that they would be assigned appropriate positions and responsibilities within the party.

On the occasion, Tarunbir Candy, Councillor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia, Councillor Priyanka Sharma, Councillor Virat Devgan and Councillor Balwinder Singh were also present.