By Khabar Rojana 
BJP councillor Saurabh Joshi was elected as the new Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation following a municipal poll held on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Joshi emerged victorious in a three-cornered contest, securing 18 votes, while his opponents, AAP’s Yogesh Dhingra and Congress’ Gurpreet Singh Gabi, received 11 votes and seven votes, respectively.
The election was conducted by a show of hands, a departure from the previous practice of a secret ballot. After raising their hands, councillors also provided verbal confirmation of their votes. Ramneek Singh Bedi, a nominated councillor, was appointed as the presiding officer for the election process.
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation consists of 35 members, with BJP holding 18 seats, AAP 11 seats, and Congress six seats. In addition, the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) participates as an ex-officio member with voting rights, influencing the final outcome of key decisions. In this election, Congress MP Manish Tewari raised his hand in support of his party’s nominee, Gurpreet Singh Gabi.
Saurabh Joshi’s victory reinforces BJP’s position in Chandigarh’s civic administration, as the party now holds the mayoral post while also having a simple majority in the municipal house. The new mayor is expected to prioritize urban development, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced public services for Chandigarh residents.
The show-of-hands method, recently adopted, reflects a push for transparent voting procedures in municipal elections. Observers note that the election was conducted smoothly, with councillors from all parties following the prescribed norms. The process also highlights the evolving democratic mechanisms within India’s urban local governance structures.
Political analysts emphasize that this election result strengthens BJP’s influence in Chandigarh and sets the tone for upcoming local governance initiatives. The new mayor, Saurabh Joshi, is expected to work closely with councillors across parties to address civic issues, ranging from sanitation and road maintenance to water management and digital services.
This mayoral election marks a significant event in Chandigarh’s political landscape, demonstrating the interplay between party representation and municipal governance. With a clear majority, BJP is positioned to implement policy decisions efficiently while engaging with opposition parties to maintain civic harmony and effective administration.
Shalu Shalu