AAP seeks outside support to stake claim on Chandigarh Municipal Corporation

The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday won 14 out of a total of 35 wards in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections.

After failing to secure a clear mandate, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has sought outside support to stake claim on the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. Chandigarh Municipal Corporation election results were declared earlier on Monday.AAP won 14 out of 35 wards, BJP bagged 12, Congress managed to win 8, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) bagged just 1 seat.WHO STANDS WHEREThe Aam Aadmi Party on Monday won 14 out of a total of 35 wards in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections. The party which contested its maiden civic body polls in the city is short of four seats to get the magical number of 18.The BJP which could not retain the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, lost eight seats this time and won 12 wards. The BJP now has a total 13 votes, including that of MP Kirron Kher.In such a situation, Congress, which has the largest vote share with 29.98 per cent, could play the role of a kingmaker.WILL CONGRESS BACK AAP?BJP requires five votes and AAP is short of four votes. While Congress may not support BJP, AAP will be apprehensive about getting support from BJP, keeping in view the electoral impact of such a move in Punjab.Arvind Kejriwal's party is most likely to get external support from Congress.Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia ducked questions on support from rival parties but hinted that the AAP will welcome 'good people' from all parties."People have trusted Kejriwal. We will decide the next move to get the magical number of 18. We will have our Mayor and will welcome good people from all parties" Manish Sisodia said.CONGRESS PAYS PRICE FOR INFIGHTINGThe infighting within the Chandigarh unit of Congress benefited the newcomer AAP which contested the Chandigarh municipal corporation elections for the first time and claimed 14 wards.In fact, the decision to remove former Chandigarh Congress President Pradeep Chhabra cost Congress as he not only quit Congress but later joined AAP along with his supporters. Like Chhabra, Chandermukhi Sharma had also quit Congress and joined AAP but lost the election.CONGRESS STILL EMERGES AS KINGMAKERDespite having claimed a sizeable 29.98 per cent vote share, Congress has emerged as the third-largest party in Chandigarh Municipal corporation elections.

The largest political party, AAP, which is short of four seats to get the magical number of 18 to stake a claim on Chandigarh municipal corporation, will require the Congress’ support.However, neither the AAP nor the Congress has so far spoken on record about the support to prove the majority.

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