Congress emerges as largest group in Chandigarh MC polls

Chandigarh, Dec 22 (UNI) The results of the elections to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh today led to a hung verdict, with the Congress emerging as the single largest group.

The Congress secured 12 seats, two short of a clear majority in the expanded 26-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation . In the last elections, it had dominated the 20-member corporation with winning as many as 14 seats.

The BJP got six while its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) won two seats in 25 wards where the elections were held on December 20.

The elections in one ward were countermanded following the death of a candidate and will be held on January 14 next year.

Four Independents, who were supported by former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan's Chandigarh Vikas Manch and one Bahujan Samaj Party candidate also emerged victorious.

The Congress is at present two seats short to retain the control of the Municipal Corporation and with no party getting the clear majority, the nine members nominated by the UT Administrator will play a crucial role.

The counting of votes had began early this morning and the results were announced by afternoon.

The elections had been conducted peacefully with nearly 45 per cent of the electorate casting their vote for 172 candidates, including 53 women in the fray.

The State Election Commission had deployed nearly 3750 personnel for poll duty at 513 polling booths, manned by around 3000 police personnel.

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