The BJP appears set to bear the greater impact. Of the 10 rebels who had filed nominations, only six withdrew on Wednesday — Chandrakanta (Ward 1), Kanta (2), Rajni (3), Suman Sahni (9), Vidhi Chand (12) and Jagdish Chand (13). However, Ramesh Kumar (Ward 2), Gaurav (Ward 3) and Mukesh (Ward 7) remain in the contest, keeping the party’s official candidates under pressure.
Additionally, three candidates — Isha Sood, Prateek Gupta and Rohini Sood — who had either filed as covering candidates or independents, withdrew their nominations, offering limited relief to the saffron party.
In the Congress camp, the rebellion is narrower but significant. Devender Kumar, contesting from Ward 4, withdrew his nomination, but outgoing Mayor Usha Sharma has chosen to stay in the fray from Ward 12 as an Independent. Sharma said no party leader had approached her to step down and maintained she would contest firmly.
Denied a party ticket for defying the Congress line during the Mayor’s mid-term election, her candidature highlights internal inconsistencies, especially as other councillors who had similarly rebelled were accommodated with tickets for themselves or their family members.
Efforts by the BJP to pacify dissenters also appear to have fallen short. A seven-member poll panel comprising senior leaders failed to bring all rebels on board.
The BJP is already on the back foot, contesting 16 of the 17 wards after its candidate Piyush Garg’s nomination was rejected over alleged encroachment on government land. The party is now weighing informal support options, including backing independent Dipin Bakshi or Gaurav, the husband of a sitting councillor.
In total, 42 candidates remain in the fray for 17 wards. Earlier, three nominations were rejected by the authorities over issues such as encroachment, incomplete documentation and other discrepancies, tightening the electoral contest further.
The Baisakhi Sale Plan offers an excellent value of 2 years of subscription + 6 months complimentary.
If you proceed with this purchase, your current monthly subscription plan will be immediately cancelled.
30?”green-strip-scroll”:””}”>n ${e.display_status||e.scheduleTime}n
30?”green-strip-scroll”:””}”>n ${e.display_status+”, “+e.scheduleTime}n