BJP's Saurav Joshi wins Chandigarh Mayor election

Chandigarh: The Bharatiya Janata Party's Saurav Joshi on Thursday won the Chandigarh mayoral election after securing a clear majority with 18 votes.

How many votes each party received?

BJP's Joshi received 18 votes, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP's) Yogesh Dhingra received 11 votes and Congress candidate Gurpreet Gabbi received seven votes, which includes a vote from its Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari. 

Joshi secured a clear majority in the municipal corporation vote after on-paper allies AAP and Congress failed to agree on a joint strategy to block BJP victory.

how many votes are needed?

To win the mayoral election, a candidate needs 19 votes in the 35-councillor house of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation

The BJP has 18 councillors, the AAP has 11 and the Congress has six councilors in the house.  

How many voted Joshi?

BJP's Saurabh Joshi emerged victorious as Mayor after securing all the 18 votes, that also matched his party's councillor strength in the house of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, and without relying on support from any other party. 

The party had entered the mayor election with the support of 18 councilors and all the members voted in a disciplined manner, ensuring there was no cross-voting within the party. 

What about senior deputy Mayor and deputy Mayor post?

The polling began at 11 am on Thursday for the posts of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

BJP candidates Jasmanpreet Singh won the Senior Deputy Mayor post in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation's elections and Suman Sharma was elected Deputy Mayor, after AAP-Congress alliance collapsed during the election. 

Any official statement?

Taking to X, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Thursday congratulated Saurabh Joshi, saying, "Heartiest congratulations to Shri Saurabh Joshi ji on being elected Mayor of Chandigarh from BJP. Wishing him a successful tenure in serving the people and taking Chandigarh to new heights of development and good governance."