Saurabh Joshi, a BJP councillor, was elected mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation on Thursday. Joshi secured a clear majority in a three-cornered contest.
He received 18 votes during the mayoral polls. Aam Aadmi Party candidate Yogesh Dhingra finished second with 11 votes, while Congress nominee Gurpreet Singh Gabi managed seven votes.
ALSO READTV cable cut, phone on flight mode: How staff tried to shield Ajit Pawar’s mother from news of son’s death
Who is Saurabh Joshi
Saurabh Joshi represents Ward No. 14 of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. The ward includes Sectors 15, 16, 17 and 24.
He was the BJP’s nominated candidate for the mayoral post. Joshi has been active on civic issues and is known for regularly raising concerns during house meetings.
His victory came in a closely watched election in the 35-member civic body. BJP’s united support and the inability of the Congress and AAP to form an alliance worked in his favour.
Congratulatory messages from BJP leaders
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu congratulated Joshi following his win and wished him a successful term.
“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,” the BJP leader wrote in a tweet.
BJP Chandigarh also shared a congratulatory post, expressing confidence in Joshi’s leadership.
“Chandigarh has been blessed with strong, progressive, and visionary leadership. With the selection of Shri Saurabh Joshi Ji as the Mayor of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the city’s development will gain a new direction and momentum. Under his leadership, Chandigarh will establish new dimensions of progress, transparency, and public welfare. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Saurabh Joshi Ji,” said in a tweet.
The mayoral election was conducted through a show of hands instead of a secret ballot. Councillors were also asked to verbally confirm their votes.
Ramneek Singh Bedi, a nominated councillor, acted as the presiding officer for the election.
ALSO READNewly elected Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi (center) celebrates his victory after securing 18 votes in the Municipal Corporation polls on Thursday
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has 18 BJP councillors, 11 from the AAP, and six from the Congress. The city’s Member of Parliament also has voting rights as an ex officio member.
Congress MP Manish Tewari supported his party’s candidate Gurpreet Singh Gabi during the voting process. |
