Chandigarh Mayor resigns before important hearing in SC today, three AAP councillors join BJP

Chandigarh: Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar has resigned after being elected on January 30 amid controversy surrounding his selection, a matter that had escalated to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is set to hear the case on Monday. Sonkar tendered his resignation on Sunday night, confirmed by Bharatiya Janata Party state president JP Malhotra.

A viral video depicted the presiding officer in the Chandigarh mayoral election allegedly marking votes of disqualified councillors. The Supreme Court rebuked the Chandigarh administration, scheduling the next hearing for February 19, during which the administration will respond.

The Aam Aadmi Party has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, while three of its councillors have defected to the BJP, increasing their count to 17. Additionally, two female AAP councillors were absent since Friday, though party leaders communicated with them on Saturday.

One councillor expressed discontent with the party, leading to their phones being switched off on Saturday.