Chandigarh, January 29
Saurav Joshi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh after his party secured a majority in the municipal corporation’s voting process. The election, overseen by presiding officer Ramneek Singh Bedi, followed strict procedures that required councillors to cast their votes openly by raising their hands, verbally confirming their choice and signing after each announcement.
When the votes were counted, Joshi emerged victorious with 18 in his favour. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed 11 votes, while Congress candidate Gurpreet Singh Gabbi received seven, supported by six Congress councillors and the city’s Member of Parliament, Manish Tewari.
The outcome was largely influenced by the breakdown of coordination between Congress and AAP. In previous elections, the two parties had joined forces to challenge the BJP but this time Congress fielded its own candidate independently, splitting the opposition vote.
Polling was conducted earlier in the day for the positions of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation comprises 35 members in total: BJP holds 18 seats, AAP 11, and Congress six, with the city’s MP also entitled to vote as an ex officio member.
With the presiding officer formally declaring the results, Joshi now takes charge as the Mayor of Chandigarh, marking another victory for the BJP in the city’s civic body.
