CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration today postponed the election of Chandigarh Mayor on filmsy grounds after it became clear that AAP-Congress aliiance is set to win the election. It is alleged that election was postponed at the instance of BJP which feared definite defeat.
The scene of election moved to Punjab and Haryana High Court immediately after the election was postponed on the excuse that presiding officer has fallen sick. The order to postpone election came at the last minute and municipal councillors were bared from entering the MC house. AAP-Congress alliance approached the High Court demanding election today.
When the hearing of the case was going on Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner issued orders to conduct the Mayor election on February 6. The High Court took serious note of such orders. The Chandigarh police told the court that election was postponed due to law and order problem. It was alleged that Punjab Police was interfering in the elections.
The opposition parties alleged that BJP was feared of defeat from AAP-Congress alliance having support of 20 councillors and BJP has 13 councillors. BJP was in ruling position for the last eight years.
Punjab and Haryana Hgh Court has now fixed January 23 as next date of hearing and asked the Chandigarh administraton for the status report. High Court has also asked the DGP Chandigarh whose responsibility is to handle law and order in the city?
Raghav Chadha AAP MP who is camping here alleged that BJP was trying to purchase councillors and using unfair means to win the election. He said that BJP was going against the popular mandate.
Pawan Bansal former Congress MP said that BJP was scared of defeat and baffled after AAP-Congress alliance.
Shiromani Akali Dal which has one councillor in the Chandigarh MC house said that BJP was indulging in operation Lotus. SAD spoksman APS Khadyal said that February 6 was fixed to give BJP time to purchase councillors. The conduct of BJP shows to what extent they can go to win Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, the AAP and Congress councillors have been shifted to a guest house in Punjab under Punjab police protection. The step was taken to prevent kidnapping of opposition concillors. Earier the Chandigarh police was blamed for "kidnapping" a Congress councillor Jasbir Singh.