• By Vivek Raj
  • Sun, 10 Mar 2024 07:47 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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In a surprising turn of events, two AAP councillors from the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation have rejoined the party less than a month after their defection to the BJP. Poonam Devi and Neha Musawat, who had previously crossed over to the BJP along with a third councillor, Gurcharan Kala, cited their return to the AAP as a "ghar wapsi" (return home).

The councillors had switched allegiance to the BJP on February 18, just a day before the Supreme Court rebuked the returning officer, Anil Masih, for tampering with ballots and interfering with the mayoral election process in Chandigarh.

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The Supreme Court declared the AAP's Kuldeep Kumar as the rightful mayor and ordered legal action against Mr. Masih.

The return of Ms. Devi and Ms. Musawat to the AAP holds importance as their initial defection had boosted the BJP's strength in the 35-member municipal corporation from 14 to 17, ultimately leading to victories in crucial elections.

During their brief stint with the BJP, Ms. Devi had lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting his efforts towards uplifting the poor and Dalits. She also had criticised the AAP, labeling it as "a party of liars."

"PM Modi helps the poor and Dalits and I have been inspired by him. The AAP had promised to make me the mayoral candidate. My husband, who is a social activist, has been jailed. The AAP is a party of liars," she had said.

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However, in a reversal of stance, both Ms. Devi and Ms. Musawat expressed happiness at their "ghar wapsi" and attributing their brief departure to misunderstandings. Meanwhile, the third AAP councillor, Gurcharan Kala, remains affiliated with the BJP.