Terming it a big victory for democracy, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court order on Chandigarh mayor elections, which declared the party's candidate Kuldeep Kumar as the winner and demanded that BJP leaders apologise to the country for its "dishonesty" during the elections.
Terming the decision historic, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at a press conference said that this was big victory for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). "The message of this poll is that if INDIA bloc parties remain united and work strategically, they can defeat the BJP," he said. “ We thank the Supreme Court...dictatorship is going on in the country...democracy is being trampled upon, all institutions are being trampled upon. In such times, this ruling by the SC is very important for democracy and to save democracy. It's a very important decision,” said Kejriwal.
Hitting out at the BJP, Kejriwal said if it can "steal" eight votes out of 36 in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, what will it do in the upcoming elections in which 90 crore votes will be polled. "Thank you SC for saving democracy in these difficult times," he said in a post on X earlier Tuesday.
"Those who say BJP can't be defeated... BJP can be defeated with unity, good planning and strategy and diligence. This election result (Chandigarh mayor polls) has proved that.It's a victory for the people of Chandigarh. It's a victory for the whole country. Entire nation saw how the BJP stole this election," he added further.
In a separate press conference, AAP spokesperson and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the Supreme Court's order has exposed the BJP and shown it the mirror. And it’ leaders should apologise to the country if they have any shame left. "It is a matter of grave concern that if the BJP and its central government can do such open stealing and dishonesty in such a small poll, what would they do in other elections where there are no microphones and CCTV cameras," Bharadwaj said.
The BJP won the Chandigarh mayoral polls on January 30 defeating the comfortably placed AAP-Congress alliance candidate after the returning officer declared as invalid eight votes of the coalition partners, drawing accusations of tampering with ballots. Manoj Sonkar of the BJP defeated Kuldeep Kumar after polling 16 votes against his rival's 12 to bag the mayor's post. Sonkar, however, resigned subsequently, while three AAP councillors defected to the BJP.