Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar has tendered his resignation amidst allegations of electoral malpractice in the recent mayoral polls, news agency PTI reported. The resignation comes ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on the matter scheduled to resume on Monday. In another key development, three AAP councillors from Chandigarh joined the BJP, leader Arun Sood informed, as per PTI.
Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar resigns amid allegations that recent mayoral polls were rigged
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 18, 2024
Gurcharan Kala, who joined the BJP today spoke to news agency ANI, “I belonged to BJP and I will also be with BJP… I have joined the party after getting inspired by the works of PM Modi…”
#WATCH | Delhi: Gurcharan Kala, who joined the BJP today says, “I belonged to BJP and I will also be with BJP… I have joined the party after getting inspired by the works of PM Modi…”
He was an Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillor. https://t.co/nQZTWeFdeC pic.twitter.com/F6x94lWSCj
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
Punam Devi also told ANI, “I joined BJP after getting inspired from the works done by PM Modi… I have left AAP because they are a fake party…”
#WATCH | Delhi: Punam Devi, who joined the BJP today says, “I joined BJP after getting inspired from the works done by PM Modi… I have left AAP because they are a fake party…”
She was Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillor. https://t.co/nQZTWeFdeC pic.twitter.com/izejCwf9vw
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
Another councillor who switched to the BJP, Neha Musawat claimed, “AAP party made false promises to us. Today after getting inspired by the works of PM Modi, I have joined BJP…”
#WATCH | Delhi: Neha Musawat, who joined the BJP today, says, “AAP party made false promises to us. Today after getting inspired by the works of PM Modi, I have joined BJP…”
She was Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillor. https://t.co/nQZTWeFdeC pic.twitter.com/c00mk2hkG4
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
Supreme Court Hearing On Chandigarh Mayor Election
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, is set to deliberate on the contentious Chandigarh Mayor elections.
The bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will scrutinise the conduct of presiding officer Anil Masih during the polls.
Earlier criticisms by the CJI have underscored the severity of the situation. “It is obvious that he defaced the ballot papers. Is this the way he conducts the elections? This is a mockery of democracy. This is a murder of democracy. This man should be prosecuted,” remarked CJI Chandrachud during previous proceedings.
In response to the grave concerns raised, the apex court has demanded an explanation from Masih regarding his actions. The court has also taken decisive steps, including sequestering the entire record of the Chandigarh Mayor elections under the custody of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Registrar General.
Moreover, expressing dissatisfaction, the court has criticized the Punjab and Haryana High Court for its failure to intervene effectively.
More On It: Chandigarh Mayor Polls: Supreme Court To Resume Hearing AAP’s Plea Tomorrow
Rigging Allegations In Chandigarh Mayor Election
AAP councillor Kuldeep Kumar, representing the INDIA bloc, approached the Supreme Court following the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s rejection of an immediate stay on the election results, which declared a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate as the Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.
Accusations levelled against presiding officer Anil Masih include the obstruction of party nominees from monitoring the vote counting process and tampering with ballot papers, substantiated by purported video evidence from the elections.
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