AAP Councillors Switch Allegiance to BJP Ahead of Chandigarh Mayor Elections

In a surprising political maneuver, two councillors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the crucial mayoral elections in Chandigarh. This shift is seen as a strategic move for the BJP, which aims to reclaim the mayoral position. The current mayor, Harpreet Kaur Babla, won her seat amid controversy, and the Supreme Court's ruling has further complicated the electoral landscape. As Union Home Minister Amit Shah prepares for events in Panchkula, the political dynamics in Chandigarh are rapidly evolving. Discover the full story behind this significant political development.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 24, 2025, 14:25 IST

Political Shift in Chandigarh

On Wednesday, two councillors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made headlines by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the upcoming mayoral elections in Chandigarh. Suman Devi and Poonam Devi have switched their allegiance ahead of the crucial elections scheduled for January. Speculation suggests that both councillors may meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah today in Panchkula, marking a significant development for the BJP as it seeks to regain control of the mayoral position in Chandigarh.

Current Mayor and Election Dynamics

The current mayor of Chandigarh, Harpreet Kaur Babla from the BJP, won the election with 19 votes. Her victory was aided by a notable instance of cross-voting, allowing her to surpass the AAP-Congress alliance, which secured only 17 votes. Amit Shah is in Panchkula today to participate in several events. Prior to his visit, Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini reviewed the final preparations for the events Shah is set to attend.

Controversy Surrounding Previous Election Results

Saini has instructed relevant officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place. The Supreme Court had previously declared AAP's Kuldeep Kumar as the mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, overturning earlier results that had initially declared the BJP candidate as the winner. This ruling was issued on February 20 of last year.

Election Disputes and Court Rulings

The controversy began when the election officer, Anil Masiha, was seen on camera invalidating eight ballots in favor of the AAP-Congress alliance. This action initially skewed the election results in favor of the BJP. Following the court's decision, Kuldeep Kumar was officially recognized as the elected mayor, effectively resolving the dispute related to the 2024 Chandigarh mayoral elections.