BJP Vs INDIA Bloc In Chandigarh Mayoral Polls: First Clash Since Nitish's U-Turn

The Chandigarh mayoral elections will be the first clash between the BJP and the opposition INDIA bloc after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ditched 'Mahagathbandhan' to rejoin the NDA on Sunday. The saffron party is taking on the alliance between the AAP and the Congress.

This poll holds great significance as it serves as a crucial test for the INDIA bloc. The Congress and AAP have joined forces to challenge the BJP's long-standing control over the mayor's office for the past eight years. As part of their deal, AAP is contesting for the post of mayor, while the Congress is nominating candidates for the roles of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor.

The polls, which were originally scheduled for January 18, were deferred to February 6 by the Chandigarh administration after the presiding officer claimed that he was ill. At that time, the administration also stated that the decision to postpone the elections was made after evaluating the law and order situation.

However, the Congress and the AAP protested the delay and Kuldeep Kumar, the AAP's candidate for the post of mayor, challenged the Chandigarh deputy commissioner's order in the High Court.

On January 24, the High Court directed the Chandigarh administration to conduct the mayoral elections at 10 am on January 30. The court also quashed the administration's January 18 order to postpone the elections, deeming it "unreasonable, unjustified, and arbitrary."

Done through secret ballot, the mayor polls are held every year during the House's five-year term. In the last two years, the Congress had abstained from voting which helped the BJP to emerge victorious.

The mayor elections come at a time when the INDIA bloc is hit by a major setback ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls after the JDU broke away from the 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar and became a part of the NDA.

It has to be noted that Nitish Kumar had played a crucial role in forming the INDIA bloc.