HC asks Chandigarh Mayor to assume office by Thursday

Chandigarh High Court Directs new AAP Mayor to Assume Office
Chandigarh, Feb 27 (IANS) The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the new Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, Kuldeep Kumar of AAP, to start his term by Thursday at 10 a.m. to oversee the upcoming elections. The court also ordered video recording of the election process.
The court prohibited councillors from bringing supporters or security personnel from other states to the voting process. Chandigarh Police were instructed to provide security and prevent any disturbances during the elections.
AAP requested a postponement of the polls citing Mayor Kumar’s absence, who is attending to his ailing sister in Ludhiana. The High Court is also hearing a case related to the elections.
BJP councillors arrived for polling at the Corporation office, while AAP councillors, including three who recently joined BJP, were absent. BJP holds a majority with 14 councillors, supported by Lok Sabha MP Kirron Kher’s vote, surpassing AAP’s 13 councillors and Congress’ seven.
With the recent defections, BJP’s vote count reaches 19, including SAD’s support, while AAP falls to 10 votes in the 35-member House of the Municipal Corporation.—IANS