Last-minute postponement of AAP Mayor's swearing-in ceremony in Chandigarh

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Chandigarh announced the indefinite postponement of Kuldeep Kumar Dhalor's swearing-in ceremony as mayor. Dhalor, who had recently won the mayoral elections after a legal battle, was scheduled to take office at 11:30 am on Monday.

The event was called off due to personal reasons cited by Dhalor. Although Dhalor could not be reached for comment as his phone was switched off, local AAP leaders circulated a message on social media confirming the postponement at 8 am.

Prem Garg, a former head of the Chandigarh unit, mentioned that Dhalor had to leave Chandigarh on Sunday night due to a family issue, leading to the sudden postponement of the ceremony.

Political implications

The postponement comes amidst a tense political situation, with AAP facing challenges in the numbers game following defections to the BJP. Despite securing victory in the mayoral elections, AAP's numerical strength in the Municipal Corporation House has diminished.

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With the BJP holding an edge in numbers, AAP's alliance with the Congress might not suffice to secure the necessary votes for key positions. The return of defected councillors to AAP remains crucial for the party's prospects in upcoming elections for senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor positions.

Impact on event attendance

The postponement also affected plans to make the swearing-in ceremony a grand event, with invitations extended to top AAP leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. However, due to prior political commitments, these leaders were unlikely to attend, except for Punjab MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak.

In summary, Dhalor's sudden decision to postpone his swearing-in ceremony due to personal reasons has disrupted political plans and raised questions about AAP's future strategies in Chandigarh.

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