Masih said he would withdraw the earlier affidavit which stated that he was reeling under depression and anxiety and wherein he denied allegations of tampering with ballots.

The Chandigarh mayoral polls have been under intense scrutiny amid rumours of horse trading, causing anxiety within the Aam Aadmi Party. However, the Supreme Court's verdict, declaring Kuldeep Kumar as the winner and mayor of the union territory, brings relief to the party.

The Court emphasised that the eight invalidated ballots in question would be deemed valid, and subsequent results would be declared based on this recount.

Before their joining, the BJP had 14 councillors in the 35-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, and the AAP 13. Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher, who is a BJP member, also has voting rights as an ex-officio member of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.

Anil Masih, who had held the position of general secretary of the minority cell of the Chandigarh BJP since 2021, has now been replaced by Istekhar Ahmed.

Masih, a member of the BJP since 2015 and a nominated councillor of the Municipal Corporation since 2022, holds a temporary administrative role overseeing mayoral elections.

Kumar's plea challenges the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which on January 31, refused to stay the election or restrain Mayor Manoj Sonkar from assuming office.