Arvind Kejriwal's 'thank you' to Supreme Court after verdict on Chandigarh mayoral polls

Arvind Kejriwal on February 20 extended his gratitude to the Supreme Court's verdict on Chandigarh mayoral elections. He thanked the top court for "saving democracy" as it has ordered that the eight votes, which were invalidated by the Returning Officer, were cast in favour of Aam Aadmi Party's mayoral candidate Kuldeep Kumar.

After the verdict, Arvind Kejriwal shared a post on X saying, "Kuldeep Kumar is a boy from a poor family. On behalf of INDIA alliance, many congratulations on becoming the Mayor of Chandigarh. This became possible only because of Indian democracy and the Honorable Supreme Court. We have to preserve the impartiality of our democracy and autonomous institutions at any cost."

After the BJP swept the January 30 Chandigarh mayoral polls, the AAP had accused Returning Officer Anil Masih of “fraud and forgery” in the election process and had approached the Supreme Court demanding fresh polls.

A video showing Anil Masih marking the ballot papers while peeping at the CCTV went viral on social media just after the polls. During the hearing of the petition, the SC summoned Anil Masih to physically appear before the bench and it also questioned him about the viral video.

Replying the same, Masih said that he marked the ballot papers so that ballot they did not get mixed.

To this, the bench said, "That means you marked it. He has to be prosecuted. In an electoral democracy, this cannot be allowed."

Lead by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the bench said, "We are inclined to direct a recount of votes including these eight votes as valid."