Delhi reverberated with the echoes of the Chandigarh Mayoral Election controversy on Thursday as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made a resounding appearance at Jantar Mantar, denouncing what he termed as an assault on federalism by the BJP-led Centre. Amidst a spirited protest organized by the Kerala Government, Mann voiced his concerns over the purported misuse of gubernatorial authority in opposition-governed states to impede governmental functions.
Mann, addressing the gathering, underscored the essence of democratic governance, asserting that only elected representatives possess the mandate to govern. He lamented the necessity of redirecting attention from policymaking to seeking justice, an unforeseen consequence of confronting central authority over rights.
Highlighting a recent episode from the Chandigarh Mayoral polls, where the BJP emerged victorious against a Congress-AAP coalition under INDIA bloc, Mann drew attention to alleged irregularities. He cited a discrepancy in the vote count, claiming a purported “scam” that marred nearly a quarter of the votes cast. With impending Lok Sabha elections in sight, Mann warned against complacency, urging vigilance over the integrity of the electoral process.
Mann’s presence alongside AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan besides other prominent leaders underscored a unified stance against perceived injustices perpetrated by the BJP-led Central Government. As chants for federal autonomy reverberated, Mann's impassioned plea for upholding democratic principles resonated amidst the charged atmosphere of Jantar Mantar.
The Chandigarh Mayoral Election saga unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the ruling AAP government in Delhi and the BJP-led Centre. The BJP's triumph in the mayoral polls, where Manoj Sonkar clinched victory over AAP's Kuldeep Kumar, was marred by allegations of electoral malpractice. With 36 votes to be counted, accusations of a 25 per cent discrepancy and the invalidation of eight votes of INDIA bloc raised eyebrows, prompting opposition outcry.
“In the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, there are a total of 36 councillors, with 20 belonging to the INDIA bloc, while the BJP has 16 councillors, including one Member of Parliament. During the mayoral elections in Chandigarh, all 16 BJP councillors cast their votes correctly. However, the votes of eight INDIA councillors were invalidated, with claims that they had cast incorrect votes…They had not voted for the first time and usually vote every year,” said mann, adding that they had approach the Supreme Court against this.
“Upon viewing the video evidence, the Supreme Court discovered how the presiding officer invalidated the votes. This incident revealed a 25 per cent discrepancy in counting among the mere 36 votes. If 90 crore votes are counted in May-June (during Lok Sabha elections), what might occur? Chandigarh is a city of 10x10, and BJP is not able to tolerate its defeat in this city,” said Mann.
Addressing the contentious issue, Mann highlighted the need for transparency and integrity in electoral processes, particularly given the imminent Lok Sabha elections. He alluded to the potential ramifications of electoral misconduct on democratic values, urging for accountability and rectification.
Also raising the issue of farmers’ distress, Mann highlighted the prolonged farmer agitation lasting for a year while lamenting the loss of over 700 lives. Mann also accused the Centre of withholding funds and causing inconvenience, citing instances where they hindered the flow of resources or created obstacles for farmers, such as demanding photos for advertisements.
Furthermore, Mann's critique extended beyond electoral irregularities to encompass broader grievances against the Central Government's encroachment on state autonomy. He lamented the prevalent trend of using gubernatorial authority as a tool to stifle opposition-led states, citing instances of interference in governance and administrative affairs.
Highlighting the role of governors in opposition-ruled states, Mann asserted that where the BJP is not in power, governors act as agents of the opposition. He criticized these governors for hindering the functioning of state governments, leading to numerous cases reaching the Supreme Court. He also mentioned the withholding of RDF funds, stressing that they will not step back but will assert their rights.
