KHARAR, June 28 — Six weeks after a no-confidence motion led to the ouster of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Jaspreet Kaur Longia, the Kharar Municipal Council on Friday unanimously elected Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Anju Chander as its new president. The 54-year-old educationist secured 26 of 27 votes in the council, marking a political comeback to a post she previously held from 2015 to 2020 — then as a SAD member.
Chander’s elevation was expected after AAP gained a clear majority in the 27-member council. The voting was notably absent of Longia (SAD) and Neelam (Congress), both of whom did not attend the election proceedings.
Chander, who runs APJ School — a CBSE-affiliated intermediate institution in Kharar — expressed her gratitude after the win.
“I sincerely thank all municipal councillors and the people of Kharar for supporting me. I am committed to accelerating the town’s development and will work wholeheartedly for its betterment,” she said.
Kharar MLA and Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Maan, who was instrumental in orchestrating the political shift, hailed the outcome.
“It is a proud moment for Kharar that both the MLA and the municipal council president now belong to AAP. With united efforts, we will drive rapid development in the city,” she said.
The current House comprises 17 AAP councillors, four from SAD, three from Congress, and three Independents. This marks a significant transformation since the municipal elections held on February 17, 2021, which had initially produced a hung council: Congress had won 10 seats, SAD eight, AAP just one, and Independents eight.
The political tide began to turn in AAP’s favour on September 23, 2022, when eight Congress councillors, six Independents, and one SAD member switched allegiance to the ruling party. That gave AAP an outright majority of 18 councillors.
With this new strength, 18 councillors submitted a request to the Executive Officer (EO) on May 5 to convene a special meeting to table a no-confidence motion against then-president Longia. The motion was passed during the May 16 session, officially ending her tenure.
Anju Chander’s return to office under a new party banner reflects not only her individual influence in local politics but also the deepening presence of AAP in Kharar’s civic administration. The party’s leadership has indicated that Chander’s second term will prioritize infrastructure, public services, and education.
