Several Senior Aam Aadmi Party Leaders and Hundreds of Workers Return to Congress — Congress Further Strengthened in Chandigarh
The Voice of Chandigarh
The Chandigarh Pradesh Congress achieved a major political success when several prominent leaders and hundreds of workers of the Aam Aadmi Party joined the Congress Party during a program organized at the Rajiv Gandhi Congress Bhawan. The joining ceremony was held in the presence of Chandigarh Pradesh Congress President H.S. Lucky, AICC Secretary Chetan Chauhan, and former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana and Panchkula MLA Chandermohan.
Those who joined the Congress include Aam Aadmi Party’s dynamic councillor Prem Lata; Ritu Chhabra, wife of former Mayor and former Chairman in the Punjab Government, late Pradeep Chhabra; Kuldeep Kukki, who contested from Dhanas Ward and secured 3,200 votes; Yashpal Kalia, who secured 2,680 votes from Bapudham Ward; and Harjinder Singh Bawa, who secured 2,336 votes.
Prem Lata stated that despite AAP councillors collectively defeating her in the Mayor election, no action was taken against them. Ritu Chhabra said that after her husband’s demise, when her family needed support the most, the party did not stand by them. Kuldeep Kukki stated that instead of being given an important position, he was removed from his post and leaders from Delhi and Punjab were imposed upon local workers. Yashpal Kalia said that he had been neglected by the party for a long time. Harjinder Singh Bawa said that instead of being promoted, he was repeatedly demoted—from State General Secretary to Secretary and then to Ward President.
It is noteworthy that all these leaders secured significant votes in their respective wards, finishing in second position, and have a strong grassroots support base. The newly joined leaders and their supporters reached the Congress Bhawan in a procession with drums and celebratory music, raising slogans of “Congress Party Zindabad” and “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad,” making the entire ffice Premises resonate with enthusiasm. The presence of hundreds of workers made the event energetic and historic.
Addressing the media on this occasion, Chandigarh Pradesh Congress President H.S. Lucky described this as a “homecoming” of all these colleagues. He expressed confidence that their inclusion in the Congress family would further strengthen the organization and that in the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections, Congress would win all 35 out of 35 wards and elect its Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Mayor.
AICC Secretary Chetan Chauhan welcomed all the new members into the Congress family and said that anyone wishing to join the ideological fight under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi to protect the nation and democracy is respected and welcomed in the Congress Party. He appreciated the efforts of local MP Manish Tewari and Pradesh Congress President H.S. Lucky, stating that after victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Congress would also hoist the flag of victory in the Municipal Corporation elections.
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana Chandermohan stated that the Congress organization in Chandigarh is working with strength and dedication, and all those who have joined the party would be given full respect and recognition. He expressed confidence that Congress would achieve historic success in the upcoming elections.
On this occasion, all six Congress councillors, along with the senior leadership team and a large number of party workers, were present.
