Particle.news
Download on the App Store

BJP Sweeps Chandigarh Civic Leadership as Saurabh Joshi Elected Mayor

An opposition split under new show‑of‑hands rules cleared the path for the BJP.

Overview

  • Joshi won the mayoral vote with 18 in the 36‑member House, with AAP’s Yogesh Dhingra receiving 11 and Congress’ Gurpreet Singh Gabi 7, including MP Manish Tewari’s vote.
  • The AAP and Congress ran separate candidates for the first time in two years, dividing opposition votes that would otherwise have tied the BJP’s bloc.
  • The election was conducted by show of hands with verbal confirmations under an amended Regulation 6, overseen by presiding officer Ramneek Singh Bedi.
  • Jasmanpreet Singh and Suman Sharma of the BJP won senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, as Congress councillors and the MP walked out and abstained after the mayoral vote.
  • The BJP now holds all three top municipal posts in the final year before December 2026 civic polls, marking its fourth mayoral win in recent years.