AAP leaders including Manish Sisodia (2nd right) along with party supporters celebrate after wins in Punjab civic body elections, in Chandigarh, on Friday (May 29). Photo: X/@AAPPunjab
Punjab civic polls: AAP wins over 690 wards, counting of votes underway
Seen as crucial for AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD, the major political parties in Punjab, ahead of the next year's Assembly polls, 7,554 candidates were in the fray for the local body elections
As counting of votes for the civic body elections in Punjab is underway on Friday (May 29), the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has won over 690 wards and is leading in many other wards.
The AAP workers started holding celebrations by exchanging sweets and dancing to the beats of 'dhol' with party leader Manish Sisodia thanking voters for reposing faith in leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in these polls.
Sisodia targets BJP
"People of Punjab have replied to the 'ED party' (BJP). 'ED politics' will not work in Punjab," Sisodia said, claiming that 1,142 candidates of the BJP have forfeited their security deposits.
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The vote counting began at 8 am on Friday amid tight security arrangements, officials said.
Elections to 102 municipal bodies comprising 1,897 wards across eight municipal corporations – Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot – along with 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats were held using ballot papers on May 26, recording a turnout of 63.94 per cent.
Seen as crucial for AAP, BJP, Congress and SAD, the major political parties in Punjab, ahead of the next year's Assembly polls, 7,554 candidates were in the fray for the local body elections.
Out of 1,977 wards, candidates in 80 wards were elected unopposed.
AAP wins 698 wards
According to the Punjab State Election Commission data, AAP has won 698 wards so far, while the Congress nominees have been declared winners in 281 wards. Independents won 217 wards, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidates registered victory in 150 wards, followed by the BJP nominees in 79 wards and BSP in six wards.
In Gidderbaha Municipal Council, AAP won 17 out of 19 wards, while the Congress could win just two wards. Gidderbaha is considered a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
In Dhuri Municipal Council, AAP registered victory in 19 wards while Independents were victorious in two wards. Chief Minister Mann is an MLA from Dhuri Assembly segment.
However, in Chamkaur Sahib Municipal Council, the Congress won seven wards, followed by AAP and Independents with three wards each. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh is a former MLA from Chamkaur Sahib assembly segment.
(With agency inputs)