Differences in alliance come to fore
Differences in the alliance partners AAP and Congress came to the fore today as the former boycotted the installation ceremony of newly elected Senior Deputy Mayor Jasbir Singh Bunty and Deputy Mayor Taruna Mehta.
The two Congress leaders assumed charge in the presence of Chandigarh Congress president HS Lucky and hundreds of leaders, workers and supporters of the party. Under the leadership of Lucky, Bunty and Mehta, accompanied by their fellow councillors, marched to the MC office in a procession.
Following the ceremony, Lucky emphasised the party’s commitment to the city’s development through collaborative efforts. He said the victory of both candidates marked the Congress’s return to the Municipal Corporation after a 12-year hiatus, affirming their dedication to being available around the clock for the city’s development.
Representatives of various Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), market associations, traders’ bodies, the Grain Market Association, temple committees, NGOs and unions presented Bunty and Mehta with bouquets.
Bunty expressed his commitment to the city’s development. Mehta emphasised that her primary objectives include addressing the financial challenges faced by the Municipal Corporation and implementing previously proposed suggestions at the grassroots level. Both extended their gratitude to MP Manish Tiwari, Lucky, all alliance councillors, senior leaders and workers of the Congress.
On boycotting the installation ceremony, an AAP leader said a decision on the alliance with the Congress would be taken by senior leaders after the Assembly elections in Delhi. Fissures furthered appeared in AAP after its councillor Poonam filed nomination for the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) elections as an independent candidate.
Earlier, AAP councillors Yogesh Dhingra and Suman, BJP councillors Saurabh Joshi and Jasmanpreet Singh, and Gurpreet Singh Gabi from the Congress filed their nominations. The election to the committee has been scheduled for February 7, and today was the last day to file nominations.
Meanwhile, AAP leaders said the party would ask one of its councillors to withdraw the nomination.
AAP councillor Poonam reportedly remained absent from party meetings and refused to accept an office-bearer position.