Political activity in the region has picked up pace as the Aam Aadmi Party has officially released its initial list of candidates for the upcoming Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections. This first announcement features nine candidates. The list bears the joint signatures of the party's Chandigarh state in-charge Jarnail Singh and Chandigarh unit president Vijay Pal Singh. A notable feature of this initial list is the strong representation given to women, with five out of the nine declared candidates being female.
Candidate Selection and Women Representation
According to the released details, the party has placed considerable emphasis on women candidates for this round. The five women who secured tickets include Gurpreet Kaur Laddi from ward 21, Anju Katyal from ward 22, Radhika Dhingra from ward 25, Satnam Kaur from ward 30, and Advocate Arun Prabha Khurcha from ward 32. The announcement has set the stage for intense local campaigning across these constituencies.
Changes in Constituencies for Prominent Leaders
Kuldeep Kumar, who has previously served as the mayor of Chandigarh, has been shifted to a new seat for the upcoming polls. The party has fielded him from ward number 24. During the elections held in 2021, he was elected as a councillor from ward number 26. However, under the newly implemented ward reservation policy for 2026, ward 26 has been designated for the general women category. Consequently, the party decided to field him from the unreserved ward number 24.
Re-nominating Familiar Faces
The party has also decided to stick with proven performers in certain areas. Councillor Anju Katyal has once again been trusted with a ticket from ward number 22. She had previously won from the exact same ward during the 2021 municipal elections. Even though the reservation status of this ward has shifted from the general women category to an unreserved general category this time around, the leadership chose to repose its faith in her capabilities once more.
Complete Candidate Lineup
The comprehensive list of candidates released by the party includes Dildar Singh from ward 1, Gurpreet Kaur Laddi from ward 21, Anju Katyal from ward 22, Onkar Singh Aulakh known as Sunny from ward 23, Kuldeep Kumar from ward 24, Radhika Dhingra from ward 25, Ajit Singh Jind from ward 27, Satnam Kaur from ward 30, and Advocate Arun Prabha Khurcha from ward 32.
Upcoming Elections and Administrative Setup
The municipal elections in Chandigarh are scheduled to take place in December of this year. In preparation for the electoral battle, the Chandigarh State Election Commission has stepped up its administrative arrangements. The commission has appointed observers to closely monitor all 35 wards spread across the city. At present, the mayoral seat in Chandigarh is held by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
