Punjab Civic Polls: AAP Crosses 690-Ward Mark, BJP Suffers Major Setback As Counting Continues
The ruling Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party tightened its grip over Punjab’s urban local bodies after surging past the 690-seat mark in the ongoing municipal election counting, strengthening the party’s position ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
As counting progressed across the state on Friday, AAP workers erupted in celebrations outside counting centres, distributing sweets and dancing to dhol beats after the party established a commanding lead in multiple municipal corporations, councils and nagar panchayats.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia credited the victory to public support for party chief Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Launching a sharp political attack on the BJP, Sisodia claimed voters in Punjab had rejected what he described as “ED politics”.
“People of Punjab have replied to the ‘ED party’. Such politics will not work in Punjab,” Sisodia said while alleging that a large number of BJP candidates had lost their security deposits.
The elections were held for 102 urban local bodies, including eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats across Punjab. Voting took place through ballot papers earlier this week and recorded a turnout of nearly 64 per cent.
According to the latest figures released during counting, AAP had already secured victory in nearly 700 wards. The Congress remained in second place with over 280 wards, while Independents continued to perform strongly in several regions. The Shiromani Akali Dal managed to cross the 150-seat mark, while the BJP lagged significantly behind.
The results have emerged as a major political indicator ahead of Punjab’s next Assembly battle, with all major parties treating the civic polls as a prestige contest.
AAP also registered dominant performances in several politically significant regions. In Gidderbaha, considered a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the ruling party won the majority of wards. In Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home turf Dhuri, AAP swept most seats with ease.
However, the Congress managed to hold ground in some pockets, including Chamkaur Sahib, where it emerged ahead of both AAP and Independent candidates.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema described the results as a “public endorsement” of the state government’s work and claimed voters had rejected opposition criticism.
