Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) put up a dominating performance in Punjab’s civic body polls on Friday, sweeping a majority of municipal wards across the state, while the BJP and Congress managed to capture key municipal corporations in a politically significant contest ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
The strong performance came as a major shot in the arm for AAP after the party recently faced political setbacks and defections, including Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and six other leaders joining the BJP, triggering concerns over internal cracks within the Punjab unit.
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While AAP won five of the eight municipal corporations – Mohali, Barnala, Batala, Moga and Bathinda – the Congress scored a major victory in Kapurthala and the BJP wrested control of Abohar, while emerging as the single-largest party in Pathankot. Punjab witnessed civic body elections to eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 municipal committees.
Out of the 1,977 wards that went to the polls, results for 1,963 wards had been declared until the filing of this report. AAP won 954 wards, Congress secured 390, Independents bagged 251, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won 191, BJP secured 170 and BSP managed seven wards. Results for a few wards were still awaited.
Seen as a crucial political test for AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD ahead of next year’s Assembly polls, the civic polls witnessed 7,554 candidates contesting across Punjab. Polling was held using ballot papers on May 26 and recorded a voter turnout of 63.94 per cent.
Despite AAP’s statewide dominance, the Congress delivered a surprise result in Kapurthala Municipal Corporation by winning 31 out of 50 wards and securing a clear majority. The BJP, meanwhile, registered a key urban victory in Abohar and strengthened its presence in Pathankot where it emerged as the single-largest party.
Out of the 75 municipal councils, AAP dominated by winning close to 45 councils, while the party also secured victory in around 10 municipal committees till the report was filed.
BHAGWANT MANN HAPPY WITH AAP’S PERFORMANCE
A jubilant Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann termed the civic poll outcome a reflection of public support for the AAP government and claimed the results offered a glimpse into the 2027 Assembly polls.
“People of Punjab have shown immense faith in us and all the opposition parties have been rejected. We can see the results of the 2027 Assembly polls through this,” he said.
The Chief Minister said voters had backed the developmental works carried out by the AAP government over the last four-and-a-half years. “Standing in queues in hot weather, people came out to cast their vote,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, Mann referred to it as the “ED party” and alleged that central agencies had been used to target AAP leaders. “They used the ED against our leaders, but the people of Punjab do not tolerate arm-twisting,” he added.
However, political analysts cautioned against linking the civic poll outcome directly with the 2027 Assembly polls.
Speaking to India Today TV, political expert Prof Kuldeep Singh said municipal election results have historically not translated into Assembly victories in Punjab.
“We have seen this pattern before. Congress won the municipal elections in 2021 but lost the Assembly polls in 2022. Similarly, SAD performed strongly in municipal elections in 2015 but lost the Assembly elections in 2017,” he said.
He added that the results also sent a signal to the BJP that its electoral strength in Punjab remains limited without an alliance with the SAD.
OPPOSITION ALLEGES IRREGULARITIES
Even as AAP celebrated the results, Opposition parties accused the ruling party of misusing official machinery during the elections.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that the AAP government used state machinery to influence the outcome and claimed that many people had supported the Akalis despite pressure tactics.
The Congress also alleged irregularities during counting in certain areas, particularly in Gidderbaha where AAP won 17 out of 19 wards.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
