Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Kuldeep Kumar sworn in as the Mayor of Chandigarh on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024.
This development comes after the Supreme Court's verdict on February 20th, which overturned the Returning Officer's decision and declared Kumar the rightful winner of the mayoral polls.
Previously, on January 30th, Returning Officer Anil Masih had declared BJP's Manoj Kumar Sonkar as the Mayor. However, allegations of ballot tampering surfaced, leading AAP to challenge the decision in the highest court.
The Supreme Court, after meticulous examination of the ballots, found that eight votes cast in Kumar's favour had been deliberately defaced by Masih. Consequently, the court declared Kumar the winner with 20 valid votes, directing him to take office.
Speaking to the media after assuming his new role, Kumar expressed his unwavering faith in the justice system and his dedication to serving the people of Chandigarh.
Furthermore, the Bench emphasised Mayor Kuldeep Kumar's integral role in overseeing the forthcoming elections, underscoring the need for his active involvement in the electoral process.
In a political agreement within the INDIA bloc, AAP secured the mayoral candidacy, while the Congress party vied for the positions of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
The Supreme Court's verdict exposed deliberate mishandling by Returning Officer Anil Masih, who had erroneously invalidated eight ballots cast in favor of Mayor Kuldeep Kumar on January 30.
Following a physical examination of the disputed ballots, the apex court confirmed their validity, ultimately securing Mayor Kuldeep Kumar's victory with a total of 20 votes.
The legal resolution not only solidified Mayor Kuldeep Kumar's triumph but also brought an end to the electoral turmoil that had gripped Chandigarh.
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