'Saved Democracy In Difficult Times': Arvind Kejriwal On SC's Verdict In Chandigarh Mayoral Poll Case

In an X post (formerly Twitter), the Delhi CM had thanked the apex court for saving "democracy in difficult times". 

File Photo Of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Soon after the Supreme Court of India directed the recounting of eight "defaced" votes in the Chandigarh mayoral polls on Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal said that the apex court has delivered a historic verdict today.

"We all witnessed how it was clear that 20 votes were of I.N.D.I.A bloc and 16 votes were of BJP. How eight of the 20 votes were wrongly declared invalid and INDIA alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar was announced defeated. We thank the Supreme Court for this verdict, which is crucial at a time when the country's institutions are being demolished," the Delhi CM said at a press conference. 

VIDEO | Here's what Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) said on Supreme Court verdict in the Chandigarh Mayoral Polls case.

"The Supreme Court has delivered a historic verdict in the Chandigarh Mayoral polls case today. We all witnessed how it was clear… pic.twitter.com/Cj0D59LOQt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 20, 2024

Kejriwal further said, "This is the first and a very big win for the I.N.D.I.A bloc. We have snatched away this victory from them (BJP). They had stolen this election but we did not concede, we kept on struggling and emerged victorious eventually".

In an X post (formerly Twitter), the Delhi CM had thanked the apex court for saving "democracy in difficult times". 

Thank you SC for saving democracy in these difficult times! #ChandigarhMayorPolls

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 20, 2024

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also hailed the Supreme Court verdict, saying: "Finally truth wins, we welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Chandigarh mayoral elections... CJI declared AAP's Kuldeep Kumar as the mayor while holding 8 votes, rejected by the presiding officer, right". 

आख़िरकार सत्य की जीत हुई...
चंडीगढ़ में मेयर चुनाव को लेकर सुप्रीम कोर्ट के फैसले का हम स्वागत करते हैं... पीठासीन अधिकारी द्वारा खारिज किए गए 8 वोटों को सही ठहराते हुए CJI ने AAP के कुलदीप कुमार को मेयर घोषित किया...

बीजेपी द्वारा सरेआम की गई गुंडागर्दी का उन्हें मुंहतोड़ जवाब…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) February 20, 2024

During Tuesday's hearing on the petition regarding allegations of vote tampering in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, the Supreme Court ruled that the eight 'defaced' votes should be considered valid and a recount should be conducted, according to ANI.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Chandigarh mayoral elections on January 30, defeating the Aam Aadmi Party-Congress alliance candidate. The returning officer declared eight coalition partners' votes invalid, sparking allegations of ballot tampering.

The BJP's Manoj Sonkar won the mayorship with 16 votes to his opponent's 12, but he later resigned. Furthermore, three AAP councillors switched allegiance to the BJP.