Chandigarh Mayoral poll: Will Devinder Singh Bablas' switchover benefit AAP?

Sandeep Rana

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 2

The exit of senior Congress leader Devinder Singh Babla and his councillor wife Harpreet Kaur from the party may benefit AAP if Babla’s wife is fielded as the Mayor candidate by the BJP.

The Mayor’s post is reserved for a woman in the first year. There are speculations that Harpreet may be the BJP choice for the post.

Sources said the decision might benefit AAP that needs five votes to prove its majority and elect its Mayor since the possibility of Congress councillors voting for the AAP candidate to ensure Harpreet’s defeat could not be ruled out.

City Congress chief Subhash Chawla told Chandigarh Tribune that his party would decide the strategy based on the BJP’s mayoral candidate. “We will not tolerate that our party defector (Harpreet Kaur) becomes the Mayor. If she is fielded, we will change our strategy and see what we can do,” said Chawla.

Moga friends together

Arun Sood and Babla both belong to Moga in Punjab and have family relations as well, but remained in opposite parties all these years.

There were often talks on a lighter note in MC House meetings about “Moge wale bhra.” On Sunday, some leaders smiled, “Moge wale bhra” are together now.”

There are speculations that the Congress may play the kingmaker. The party may support AAP as voting by councillors is held through the secret ballot. It will also explore other political options to keep Babla out of the game.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh BJP chief Arun Sood said, “There are already two able women councillors in the Bharatiya Janata Party and Harpreet ji is also there. However, the decision to choose one for the Mayor’s post will be taken by the party after considering all aspects.”

The polling date for the mayoral elections is yet to be announced.

• If three parties — the BJP, the Congress and AAP — field their candidates, the one who gets the least number of votes will be out.
• Then, voting will again be held for the remaining two contestants. The one who gets the majority mark of 19 votes out of 36 will be the Mayor.