Chandigarh Mayoral poll: Congress, AAP seal alliance, announcement soon

Sandeep Rana

Chandigarh, January 14

The Congress and AAP are said to have reached an alliance for the January 18 mayoral polls.

Sources said AAP would fight the Mayor’s post, while the Congress will contest the posts of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Both parties are likely to announce their alliance arrangement in a day or so, and subsequently withdraw nominations before the day of polling.

“Our respective party high commands have okayed the alliance for the mayoral polls. However, for now, nothing has been decided about who will contest the LS poll from Chandigarh,” confirmed a senior Congress leader.

Tie-up okayed: Lucky

The alliance has been materialised. In a day or two, it will be announced officially. — HS Lucky, City Congress president

Current numbers

BJP 15*, AAP 13, CONG 7, SAD 1

*14 councillors and ex officio member, i.e. MP

• Elections to three posts will be held via secret ballot on JanUARY 18

The two parties collectively have 20 votes against the BJP’s 15 votes, including ex officio member, i.e. the city MP. The SAD has one councillor.

In case there is no cross-voting by councillors, it will be the first defeat for the BJP in the mayoral elections in over eight years.

BJP stares at first defeat in 8 years

In case there is no cross-voting by councillors, it will be the first defeat for the BJP in the mayoral elections in over eight years.

Congressoff to Shimla, BJP Haryana

With AAP councillors camping in The Kikar Lodge at Kharar, the Congress has left for Shimla to keep its flock together. The BJP councillors are staying in a guest house at Panchkula. They have been asked to leave for Karnal or Morni on Monday morning.