AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar to be Chandigarh Mayor, Workers Rejoice

Delhi/Chandigarh: In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India overturned the result of the Chandigarh mayoral election and declared AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar as the winner. The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, ruled that eight ballot papers that were invalidated by the Returning Officer should be counted.

The bench noted that the petitioner, Kuldeep Kumar, had received 12 votes. Eight votes were wrongly invalidated, and later these eight votes were found to be in favor of the petitioner. Thus, after adding these eight votes, the petitioner has 20 votes. Therefore, AAP councilor and petitioner Kuldeep Kumar is declared elected as the Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. The decision of Returning Officer Anil Masih to declare the BJP candidate as the winner is invalid. The bench observed that the Returning Officer first made illegal changes in the mayoral election process. He then lied before this court on February 19.

Earlier, the court had examined the ballot papers of the polling held on January 30. The SC then said that there were additional marks on the eight votes cast in favor of the AAP candidate. The court said that the marked ballot papers will be counted and the winner will be declared thereafter. After the court’s remarks, celebrations started in the Aam Aadmi Party.Kuldeep Kumar, who became the mayor of Chandigarh, said that he wanted to thank the Supreme Court. This is a victory for the people of Chandigarh and the India Alliance. It shows that BJP is not invincible and if we are united we can defeat them.

Truth has won – Mann

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann expressed happiness over the Supreme Court verdict. Mann said that finally the truth has won… We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision on the mayoral election in Chandigarh… Upholding the 8 votes rejected by the Returning Officer, the CJI declared AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar as the Mayor… Congratulations to the people of Chandigarh on this great victory of democracy…

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has thanked the Supreme Court. The Chandigarh Congress has also welcomed the court’s decision. The verdict was described as historic and a victory for democracy.