BJP ने जो आज चंडीगढ़ मेयर चुनाव में जो किया वो राष्ट्रद्रोह है।
– सबसे पहले BJP ने अपने पदाधिकारी नेता को इलेक्शन का presiding officer नियुक्त किया
– चुनाव के दिन 18 जनवरी को presiding officer को बीमार करके अस्पताल में भर्ती कर दिया और चुनाव अनिश्चित काल के लिए टाल दिए।
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) January 30, 2024
Unraveling the Turmoil Surrounding Chandigarh Mayoral Polls
In the aftermath of the Chandigarh mayoral elections, Anil Masih, the presiding officer, found himself embroiled in a controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s mayoral candidate emerged victorious, despite the Aam Aadmi Party-Congress alliance enjoying more support within the council.
Allegations and Counterclaims
Anil Masih, on Tuesday, responded to the Aam Aadmi Party’s accusations. The AAP-Congress alliance claimed that Masih defaced the ballot papers and subsequently invalidated them. However, Masih asserted that the councillors of the alliance were the ones who tore up the ballot papers after the results were announced.
Unfolding the Election Drama
The mayoral candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Manoj Sonkar, secured victory, even though the alliance had a numerical advantage. The turning point came when the presiding officer declared eight votes as “invalid.”
The Accusations Fly
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal did not mince words, accusing the BJP of winning through dishonest means. He alleged that during the issuance of ballot papers, concerns were raised about spots and marks. Approximately 11 ballot papers were replaced upon request, but chaos ensued when the results were about to be declared.
Disruption and Chaos
According to Masih’s account, chaos erupted when AAP and Congress councillors, instead of verifying the allegedly defaced ballot paper, disrupted the process by jumping on the table and tearing up the papers. The situation escalated, leading to a heated confrontation.
Raghav Chadha’s Perspective
Raghav Chadha from the AAP claimed that the BJP orchestrated treachery. He raised concerns about the presiding officer marking votes with his hand and swiftly declaring them invalid without providing reasons or showing the affected ballot papers to party agents.
Kejriwal’s Strong Denouncement
Arvind Kejriwal condemned the BJP’s alleged malpractices, declaring it a “black day for democracy.” He asserted that the party had stolen votes and forcefully ensured their candidate’s victory. Kejriwal emphasized the broader concern for the sanctity of democracy beyond mayoral elections.
Election Outcome
In the final tally, Manoj Sonkar secured 16 votes, defeating AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar, who received 12 votes. Notably, eight votes were deemed invalid, adding fuel to the already contentious situation.
Protests and High Court Intervention
In Chandigarh, immediately after the announcement of results, councillors from the AAP and Congress protested vehemently. Kejriwal highlighted that 25 percent of the total votes were declared invalid, intensifying the dispute.
The mayoral polls, initially scheduled for January 18, faced postponement on the polling day due to the ill health of Anil Masih. Last week, the Punjab and Haryana High Court criticized the administration’s actions as “unreasonable, unjustified, and arbitrary.”
As Chandigarh grapples with the aftermath of a controversial mayoral election, the echoes of the dispute resonate, questioning the integrity of the democratic process.
