The BJP-SAD combine recorded a landslide victory in Chandigarh’s civic body election post demonetisation and just ahead of crucial Punjab assembly polls.
BJP, the dominant partner in the alliance, won 20 seats out of total 26 wards, while SAD won one seat and Congress managed to win only four seats.
The BJP’s victory in the MC polls is seen as another thumbs up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move in urban areas and also, put forth positive signs concerning voters’ mood in Punjab’s capital ahead of Assembly polls scheduled early next year.
The results of civic body poll, which was held on Sunday, was the biggest ever victory for any single political party in the MC body since its inception in 1996.
The city had recorded voter turnout of 59.54 per cent on Sunday.
Earlier, it was in the first MC elections held in 1996, the BJP had won 13 seats out of total 20 elected seats to claim a thumping majority while its ally, SAD won two seats and the Congress had won only one seat. It was Prime Minister Modi who was then the incharge of the Chandigarh BJP unit.
While the results have given a big boost for the BJP-SAD combine, which is battling an anti-incumbency factor in the upcoming Assembly elections after having ruled for 10 straight years in Punjab, it has also negated Congress’ claims about an undercurrent against the combine post demonetisation and 10 years long rule.
The Congress had made demonetisation a major issue in the MC polls, with its leaders highlighting hardships faced by the public due to the move, however, the BJP had counter the allegations focusing on fight against corruption and black money.
During the high-stakes MC polls, the BJP had made all out efforts initiating the campaigning with a rally of party president Amit Shah, which was followed by public meetings by prominent leaders including BCCI president and MP Anurag Thakur, Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician and
MP Manoj Tiwari, national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, Sufi Singer Hans Raj Hans, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar among others.
On the other hand, Congress was relying on former Railway Minister and ex-city MP Pawan Kumar Bansal and failed to bring any prominent central leader for campaigning in the city. Not only this, the Congress had released its election manifesto just two days ahead of the election while BJP had released its vision document on December 10.
The poll results have come as a major setback to the Congress with its prominent leaders and four former mayors facing the defeat.
Following BJP’s historic victory, party president Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the results of the Chandigarh local body elections were a clear endorsement for the demonetisation step taken by the Narendra Modi government.
Chandigarh BJP MP Kirron Kher, while thanking the voters said that the demonetization was no issue and Chandigarh people had given a befitting reply to the Congress and people had shown they do not support corruption.
“The historic victory in BJP’s favour has indicated that people have again reposed faith in BJP Government led by Narendra Modi and demonetisation has not caused a dent on the poll prospects of BJP,” said BJP Chandigarh president Sanjay Tandon while talking to the mediapersons.
The BJP had earlier this year made a clean sweep in the mayoral elections by winning all the three key posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor in the city MC.
The Municipal Corporation has 36 members, of which 26 are elected councillors, nine are nominated councillors and one is an MP (ex-officio member of the House).