After winning 14 seats in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections, Aam Aadmi Party has made its smashing debut in the capital of Punjab and Haryana. Remarking that this is just a
trailer and "picture abhi baki hai', AAP has kept its fingers crossed for the upcoming Punjab assembly elections 2022.
BJP has won only 12 seats, Congress eight and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has managed to win just one seat.
The unexpected frontrunner in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections, AAP's senior leader Raghav Chadha stated it was a “victory of Kejriwal’s model of governance
as people were yearning for a change for years.”
Notably, BJP and Congress have dominated the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation for more than 12 years, dating back to 1996.
“People are now willing to give AAP a chance," said Mr Chadha remarked. Opening up about the alliance with BJP and Capt Amarinder's Punjab Lok Congress, the AAP leader stated,
"People in Chandigarh are fed up with these parties.
"Chandigarh is a trailer. Punjab mein picture abhi baaki hai"
AAP’s sweeping win in Punjab’s capital has come as a big setback to its opponents in the state.
Punjab assembly elections are scheduled to be held in early 2022 (likely February 2022), with ruling Congress contesting to retain power. Chandigarh frontrunner AAP, Captain Amarinder Singh-led
Punjab Lok Congress in alliance with BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal with BSP - all parties are indulged in poll preparations, trying to woo voters with promises.
And now, farmers under the banner of Samyukt Samaj Morcha have entered politics and are likely to sway a majority of farm votes in Punjab.
In the last Chandigarh MC polls, BJP had won 20 seats while its ally Akali Dal had only one. The Congress had won four seats.
Meanwhile, in the last Punjab elections (2017 polls), AAP was the second-largest party, winning 20 of the total 117 seats. This time, the AAP's senior leaders are focusing on Punjab
intending to capture power in the northern state.
Party’s chief Arvind Kejriwal has been constantly visiting the poll-bound state and holding rallies, ahead of crucial elections. Other AAP leaders also appear ready for the fight.
Kejriwal’s constant calls to the people of Punjab and remarking that 'Punjabis are voting for AAP' has been proved right with its smashing victory in the capital.
Meanwhile,
the party emerging victorious in Chandigarh that too in its first attempt is a big indication of a probable twist in Punjab's political landscape.
Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Election results
In a major setback to BJP, sitting mayor Ravi Kant Sharma was defeated by AAP candidate Damanpreet Singh by an 828 vote margin in ward number 17.
AAP's Taruna Mehta defeated BJP's sitting councillor Sunita Dhawan in ward 18.
Neha Musawat of the AAP emerged victorious in ward 19. She was the youngest candidate in the race.
Davesh Moudgil, a former mayor and BJP candidate, was defeated by AAP's Jasbir by 939 votes in Ward 21.
Mahesh Inder Sidhu of the BJP defeated Congress' HS Lucky by 11 votes.
Anju Katyal of AAP defeated sitting councillor Heera Negi of the BJP in ward 22.
Kuldeep Kumar of the AAP defeated Jatinder Kumar of the Congress in Ward 26.
AAP's Lakhbir Singh won in ward 31 after defeating sitting BJP councillor Bharat Kumar by 1,062 votes.