Jalandhar, July 9 -- In a surprising political turnaround marked by cross-voting, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday wrested the Kapurthala mayor's chair despite the Congress having registered a thumping victory in the May 29 civic polls. AAP's Narinder Singh Manso, a three-time councillor, was elected mayor, while Kamakshi Duggal and Sameer Sharma were elected senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor, respectively. In the municipal corporation elections, the Congress had emerged as the single largest party by winning 31 of the 50 wards. The AAP had secured 11 seats, while the BJP and SAD won three seats each, with the remaining seats going to Independents. With the ex-officio vote of Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh, the Congress had 32 votes. Ahead of the mayoral election, five Congress councillors extended support to the AAP candidate. Along with the backing of the BJP, SAD and Independent councillors, the AAP's numbers rose to 24. However, on Wednesday, AAP's Manso secured the majority through cross-voting by Congress councillors. Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh said, "I will challenge the election process in the high court." Rejecting the allegations, AAP MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal said the election was conducted democratically and reflected the support enjoyed by the party.HTC...