Sanjay Tandon Chosen as BJP Candidate for Chandigarh Lok Sabha Seat

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a surprising decision by dropping two-time sitting Member of Parliament Kirron Kher and instead selecting Sanjay Tandon as their candidate for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat.

Sanjay Tandon, a prominent figure in Chandigarh and the son of former Governor of Chattisgarh, Balramji Das Tandon, has a deep political background. He served as the long-serving president of the Chandigarh BJP from 2010 to 2019.

The announcement of Tandon’s candidacy came as a shock to various factions within the Chandigarh BJP, who were pushing for a local candidate. Notable party leaders such as Arun Sood were also vying for the position, making Tandon’s choice unexpected.

Sanjay Tandon, having roots in Chandigarh and also working as the co-incharge of Himachal Pradesh BJP, had been actively seeking a ticket for a considerable duration. His selection over Kirron Kher, who was considered by some as an outsider despite being Chandigarh’s sitting MP, marks a significant shift.

Kirron Kher, an actor-turned-politician, was fielded by the BJP as a parachute candidate in the 2014 elections. She managed to secure victory over Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal and AAP candidate Gul Panag.

In the 2019 elections, Kirron Kher once again contested and emerged victorious with a substantial number of votes. Her win solidified her position in Chandigarh’s political landscape.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, a Congress stalwart, had represented Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms prior to Kirron Kher’s ascension to power.

The upcoming elections in Chandigarh are set to witness an interesting battle between Sanjay Tandon, representing the BJP, and the Congress candidate chosen under the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) with AAP.

Voters in Chandigarh will head to the polls on June 1, with the results due to be announced on June 4, determining the future representation of the city.