Resuming their political journey with AAP, Poonam Devi and Neha Musavat joined hands with their old party once again. Their initial departure to the BJP on February 18th has drawn significant attention. Now, they have come full circle and are back with AAP.
On the eve of the Supreme Court hearing, these three councilors had shifted their allegiances to the BJP. Vinod Tawde, the National General Secretary of BJP, alongside former state president Arun Sood, assured them a warm welcome, respect, and significant responsibilities within the party.
BJP Gained an Upper Hand Here
The desertion of the three councilors reduced AAP and Congress's strength in the Municipal Corporation from 20 to 17 members. However, the Supreme Court's decision on the mayoral election favored India Block, dealing a blow to the BJP, where for the first time, an India Block member was elected as mayor. Nevertheless, BJP reaped the benefit of the councilors switching sides during the elections for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, which resulted in a victory for them.
Supreme Court Rebukes Returning Officer
During the Mayor elections on January 30 in Chandigarh, there were allegations of foul play. The Supreme Court intervened on a petition by the Congress and AAP, freezing the election process and sealing the ballot papers. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud criticized the returning officer Anil Maseeh, citing CCTV footage that showed the tampering of ballot papers, describing it as a mockery and murder of democracy, and expressing astonishment.
The Events of January 30
Post MP Kiran Kher's vote in the Chandigarh Mayor elections on January 30, 16 votes were in favor of the BJP, while the Congress and AAP alliance garnered 20 votes. However, the presiding officer allegedly invalidated 8 of those votes, declaring a win for the BJP-supported candidate with 16 votes. Subsequently, AAP and Congress filed a petition in the Supreme Court.
A viral video on social media also showed the presiding officer Anil Maseeh tampering with the ballot paper. This video was presented as evidence by AAP and Congress in the Supreme Court.
