“I.N.D.I. Alliance’s first election lost: BJP’s Manoj Sonkar defeats AAP-Congress candidate to become Chandigarh mayor”, Opindia, January 30, 2024:

“On 30th January, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Manoj Sonkar became Mayor of Chandigarh after defeating Congress-AAP candidate Kuldeep Tita. He secured 16 out of 35 votes while Tita secured only 12. Eight votes were declared invalid.

Following the results, protests broke out against presiding authority Anil Masih. Marshals were called into the house to control the situation. BJP’s Rajinder Kumar was elected as Deputy Mayor. The voting took place at the Municipal Corporation Building in Chandigarh.

This was the first time the opposition’s I.N.D.I. Alliance members fought any election against the BJP. Also, it is the first time AAP and Congress allied to defeat BJP in any election. It is unclear how deep the impact would be on the alliance. Notably, AAP has already announced it will fight Lok Sabha elections alone in Punjab which was a major jolt for the I.N.D.I. Alliance for the general elections…..”

Read the full article at Opindia.com