In a remarkable tale of democracy, former sanitation worker Kuldeep Kumar has ascended to the role of Mayor in the municipal corporation where he once cleaned streets. The Supreme Court has declared Kumar, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate, as the new Mayor of Chandigarh. This victory marks AAP’s first mayoral triumph in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.
Kuldeep Kumar, who hails from the Valmiki community and previously worked as a contract sanitation worker in the same corporation, has created history by becoming the Mayor. The election took place in the 35-member municipal council, where Kumar secured 20 votes compared to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Manoj Sonkar, who received 16 votes, including one from a Member of Parliament. Initially, officer Anil Masiha had announced Sonkar as the winner by rejecting eight votes for Kumar. Subsequently, the matter reached the Supreme Court, which overturned the decision and proclaimed Kumar as the rightful winner.
Kuldeep Kumar’s journey in politics began with the BJP, where he served as the district president of the SC Morcha. His association with the Valmiki community led to him being chosen as an AAP candidate during the Lok Sabha elections. Kumar’s victory is significant not only for his personal achievement but also for breaking barriers and challenging social norms.
The newly elected Mayor, Kuldeep Kumar, is 40 years old and graduated from the Punjab Board in 2005. His annual income, as per his election affidavit, is Rs 4.80 lakh. Known affectionately as Tita among friends, Kumar is the first in his family to enter politics. His father’s name is Rayat Pal.
Kumar’s rise from a sanitation worker to the Mayor’s chair symbolizes the essence of democracy, where individuals from diverse backgrounds can actively participate and lead, challenging stereotypes and contributing to the inclusive fabric of local governance.
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