According to reports, a party requires 19 votes to secure the Mayor's post.

Chandigarh Braces for Triangular Fight for Mayor Chair on Jan 29 

The election for the new Mayor of Chandigarh is scheduled for Thursday, January 29. It is set to be a significant triangular contest, as no candidates withdrew their nominations by the deadline. Representing the BJP is Saurabh Joshi, while the Congress has fielded Gurpreet Singh Gabi, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is contesting with Yogesh Dhingra. The battle for Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor also features multi-party competition, including candidates from the BJP, Congress, and AAP.

According to reports, a party requires 19 votes to secure the Mayor's post. Currently, the BJP holds 18 councillor votes and possesses the additional vote of the MP, totalling 19. 

Meanwhile, the combined strength of the Congress (6 councillors) and AAP (11 councillors) also totals 17 votes. If the alliance holds, the contest becomes a tight race, though the Municipal Corporation Act allows for a toss to decide the winner in the event of a tie.

Dr Ramneek Singh Bedi has been designated as the presiding authority for the meeting, which begins at 11 am. The voting will be conducted through a show of hands. The BJP has already moved its councillors to Panchkula as a precautionary measure. While Congress leaders described their participation as a symbolic fight, AAP and BJP leadership expressed full confidence in winning all three key posts.

Source: The Tribune