Chandigarh municipal polls: Setback for Cong as councillor joins BJP

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

The Congress suffered a major setback as three-time councillor and former Deputy Mayor Sheela Phool Singh, who was recently denied the party ticket, along with a few others, joined the BJP on Monday.

The sitting councillor expressed annoyance against the Congress and said it was an honour for her to be in the BJP camp. Sheela represented the Congress twice and also contested the election in the Independent capacity from ward number 15 in the past.

Congress leader Prem Pal Chauhan also announced to join the BJP in the presence of city BJP president Arun Sood during a press conference at the party office Kamalam in Sector 33. Sheela, who represents the Dalit community, said the Congress had gone into a “political abyss”. There was no importance of party workers in the Congress while the party high command was with sycophants.

Sood said important responsibility would be given to them in the coming days.

On the occasion, president of the Dhanak Mahasabha and vice-president of the BJP SC Morcha Gurjit Chauhan said the Congress had insulted the Dhanak Samaj, which had decided to boycott the Congress and support the BJP. Chanchal Mahi, president of the Street Vendors (Rehri Phari) Association also joined the BJP and assured that all vendors would mobilise support for the BJP.