BJP strengthens position in Chandigarh as 2 AAP Councillors jump ship ahead of Mayoral election

In a significant political development just weeks before the Chandigarh mayoral election, two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors, Suman Sharma and Poonam, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. They joined the saffron party at an event held at the BJP office in Chandigarh and attended by senior party leaders, providing a much-needed boost to the party’s numbers ahead of the crucial poll.

The move comes as the BJP seeks to consolidate its position in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, where the mayoral election is scheduled for January 2026. With the addition of Sharma and Poonam, the BJP’s strength on the council has increased to 18 councillors, strengthening its prospects in the upcoming contest.

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The joining ceremony was attended by Chandigarh BJP President Jatinder Pal Malhotra, incumbent Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, former city BJP president Sanjay Tandon, and party vice president Devinder Singh Babla. Both councillors expressed confidence in the BJP’s policies and leadership, citing alignment with the party’s vision and direction under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has 35 elected councillors. To secure the mayor’s position, a party or alliance needs 19 votes. With the recent BJP tally now at 18, the party requires just one more vote to clinch the mayor’s post, placing it in a much stronger position than before. Analysts say the defection of the two councillors could tilt the balance decisively in favour of the BJP, especially with the mayoral election just weeks away.

Speaking at the event, both Suman Sharma and Poonam made it clear that their decision was driven by political and ideological considerations. Poonam openly stated that she felt sidelined within the AAP and was unable to participate effectively in decision-making processes, which motivated her to seek a new platform.

Party leaders from the BJP welcomed them warmly, praising the decision as a reflection of growing confidence in the party’s governance model. Chandigarh BJP President Malhotra highlighted that the party’s consistent expansion, even at the grassroots level, mirrors rising public trust in its leadership and policies.

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla echoed these sentiments, saying the inclusion of new members would further strengthen the party’s organisation in the city. She remarked that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandigarh, along with the rest of the country, is seeing a renewed focus on development and progress.

The shift of the two councillors from AAP to BJP could have broader implications for the political dynamics in Chandigarh, especially with municipal elections and allied political manoeuvring gaining momentum. The Congress currently holds six council seats, while the AAP has 11 councillors. The addition of Sharma and Poonam to the BJP alters the competitive landscape significantly.

In the build-up to the mayoral election, the process has already formally begun with administrative preparations. As per civic officials, the election is expected to be completed ahead of the expiry of the current mayor’s term in late January 2026.

The entry of two AAP councillors into the BJP fold marks a pivotal moment in Chandigarh’s civic politics, potentially shaping the outcome of the upcoming mayoral election. The political atmosphere in Chandigarh is set to intensify as parties prepare and strategise for the election in January.