Congress stuns AAP in Kapurthala civic polls, wins clear majority with 31 seats
Congress upset the ruling AAP by winning 31 seats in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation as Punjab's civic poll counting continued. The result stood out even as AAP led across the state, sharpening the political stakes before next year's Assembly elections.
Congress delivered a major upset to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation elections, securing a clear majority with 31 seats as counting of votes for Punjab's civic body polls continued on Friday. AAP won 11 seats in the corporation, while the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) secured three seats each and two seats went to others.
Counting of votes for the civic body elections began at 8 am amid tight security arrangements. The elections were held on May 26 using ballot papers for 102 municipal bodies, including eight municipal corporations — Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot — along with 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats. The polls recorded a voter turnout of 63.94 per cent.
A total of 7,554 candidates contested the local body elections, which are being viewed as crucial for all major political parties in Punjab — AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD — ahead of next year's Assembly elections.
Officials said two micro observers were deputed at each counting centre and worked under the direct supervision of the district general observer. Entry into counting halls remained restricted to authorised persons only.
Across Punjab, the ruling AAP won more than 690 wards and maintained leads in several others as counting progressed. AAP workers celebrated the party's performance by exchanging sweets and dancing to the beats of dhol.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia thanked voters for reposing faith in party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Claiming a strong mandate for the party, Sisodia said, "People of Punjab have replied to the 'ED party' (BJP). 'ED politics' will not work in Punjab." He also claimed that 1,142 BJP candidates had forfeited their security deposits.
The civic body elections covered 1,897 wards across the municipal bodies. Out of 1,977 wards, candidates in 80 wards were elected unopposed.
According to Punjab State Election Commission data, AAP had won 698 wards, while Congress candidates secured victory in 281 wards. Independents won 217 wards, SAD candidates won 150 wards, BJP nominees secured 79 wards and BSP candidates won six wards.
AAP registered a dominant performance in several key municipal councils. In Gidderbaha Municipal Council, the party won 17 of the 19 wards, while Congress managed only two seats. Gidderbaha is considered a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
In Dhuri Municipal Council, AAP won 19 wards, while Independents secured two wards. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann represents the Dhuri Assembly constituency.
However, Congress performed better in Chamkaur Sahib Municipal Council, where it won seven wards. AAP and Independents secured three wards each. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh is a former MLA from the Chamkaur Sahib Assembly segment.
Reacting to the results, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the people of Punjab had endorsed the work of the AAP government. He said voters had shown the mirror to opposition parties and asserted that the civic polls were conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
The opposition parties had earlier accused the AAP government of misusing official machinery during the elections.
The civic polls are being seen as a litmus test for the ruling AAP as it seeks to retain power in Punjab in next year's Assembly elections. While AAP maintained an overall lead across the state, Congress scored a significant victory in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation by winning 31 seats and comfortably outpacing the ruling party.
Congress delivered a major upset to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation elections, securing a clear majority with 31 seats as counting of votes for Punjab's civic body polls continued on Friday. AAP won 11 seats in the corporation, while the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) secured three seats each and two seats went to others.
Counting of votes for the civic body elections began at 8 am amid tight security arrangements. The elections were held on May 26 using ballot papers for 102 municipal bodies, including eight municipal corporations — Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot — along with 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats. The polls recorded a voter turnout of 63.94 per cent.
A total of 7,554 candidates contested the local body elections, which are being viewed as crucial for all major political parties in Punjab — AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD — ahead of next year's Assembly elections.
Officials said two micro observers were deputed at each counting centre and worked under the direct supervision of the district general observer. Entry into counting halls remained restricted to authorised persons only.
Across Punjab, the ruling AAP won more than 690 wards and maintained leads in several others as counting progressed. AAP workers celebrated the party's performance by exchanging sweets and dancing to the beats of dhol.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia thanked voters for reposing faith in party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Claiming a strong mandate for the party, Sisodia said, "People of Punjab have replied to the 'ED party' (BJP). 'ED politics' will not work in Punjab." He also claimed that 1,142 BJP candidates had forfeited their security deposits.
The civic body elections covered 1,897 wards across the municipal bodies. Out of 1,977 wards, candidates in 80 wards were elected unopposed.
According to Punjab State Election Commission data, AAP had won 698 wards, while Congress candidates secured victory in 281 wards. Independents won 217 wards, SAD candidates won 150 wards, BJP nominees secured 79 wards and BSP candidates won six wards.
AAP registered a dominant performance in several key municipal councils. In Gidderbaha Municipal Council, the party won 17 of the 19 wards, while Congress managed only two seats. Gidderbaha is considered a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
In Dhuri Municipal Council, AAP won 19 wards, while Independents secured two wards. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann represents the Dhuri Assembly constituency.
However, Congress performed better in Chamkaur Sahib Municipal Council, where it won seven wards. AAP and Independents secured three wards each. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh is a former MLA from the Chamkaur Sahib Assembly segment.
Reacting to the results, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the people of Punjab had endorsed the work of the AAP government. He said voters had shown the mirror to opposition parties and asserted that the civic polls were conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
The opposition parties had earlier accused the AAP government of misusing official machinery during the elections.
The civic polls are being seen as a litmus test for the ruling AAP as it seeks to retain power in Punjab in next year's Assembly elections. While AAP maintained an overall lead across the state, Congress scored a significant victory in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation by winning 31 seats and comfortably outpacing the ruling party.
