According to data from the Punjab State Election Commission, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 954 of the total 1,977 wards. The Congress came in second with 393 wards, followed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with 192 wards, and the BJP, which won 172 wards in the elections.
Independent candidates also did well, winning in 251 wards, while the BSP secured seven wards.
Vote counting was ongoing, with results for eight additional wards still pending.
In the municipal corporation elections, AAP achieved significant victories in Moga, Barnala, Bathinda, and Batala, with 30, 36, 31, and 30 wards respectively. The party also emerged as the largest entity in Mohali with 26 wards.
The Congress claimed a stronghold in Kapurthala, winning 31 wards, while the BJP took the lead in Pathankot and Abohar with 22 and 28 wards respectively.
Each municipal corporation consists of 50 wards.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab for the “spectacular” success in the civic elections.
“Congratulations to everyone. This is a historic vote; the public has recognized the efforts of the Bhagwant Mann government. We will continue this good work moving forward,” he stated.
In a direct criticism of the BJP, Kejriwal remarked, “The ED party has been defeated. They harassed small traders in Punjab through numerous raids, and the public has avenged this.” AAP supporters celebrated, exchanging sweets and dancing to the sound of ‘dhol’, while AAP leader Manish Sisodia thanked voters for their support in the elections.
“The people of Punjab have addressed the ‘ED party.’ ‘ED politics’ will not succeed here,” Sisodia asserted, noting that 1,142 BJP candidates had forfeited their security deposits.
Opposition parties, however, criticized the AAP government, alleging misuse of power and official resources during the municipal elections in the state.
Vote counting commenced at 8 AM on Friday, with tight security measures in place, according to officials.
With AAP winning ahead of the Punjab assembly elections next year, Chief Minister Mann stated that the electorate endorsed the government’s development initiatives.
“The people of Punjab have rejected the opposition’s divisive politics,” he emphasized, indicating a strong refusal of parties that promote division. Elections for 102 municipal bodies encompassing 1,897 wards were conducted on May 26, achieving a voter turnout of 63.94%.
Out of 1,977 wards, candidates in 80 were elected unopposed.
A total of 7,554 candidates contested in the local body elections.
The full results for the eight municipal corporations are still forthcoming.
In the Dhuri Municipal Council, which has 21 wards, AAP triumphed in 19 while Independents won two. Dhuri is Chief Minister Mann’s home constituency, where he serves as an MLA.
In the Gidderbaha Municipal Council, AAP won 17 out of 19 wards, with the Congress taking the remaining two. Gidderbaha is viewed as a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
Conversely, in the Chamkaur Sahib Municipal Council, comprising 13 wards, the Congress secured seven wards, while AAP and Independents claimed three each. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is a past MLA from Chamkaur Sahib.
In Majitha Municipal Council, AAP won seven wards, while the Shiromani Akali secured the remaining six. Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia’s wife, Ganieve Kaur Majithia, is currently an MLA from the Majitha assembly segment.
Notable winners include AAP candidate Sunny Ahluwalia from ward number 6 and Sarabjeet Singh, son of AAP MLA Kulwant Singh, from ward number 42, both in Mohali.
However, former health minister and Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu’s son, Kanwarbir Singh Sidhu, lost in ward number 10 in Mohali.
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The civic body elections were seen as a significant test for AAP and a referendum on the achievements of the Mann government.
The Congress sought to perform well, particularly in urban body elections, succeeding in segments like Kapurthala and Chamkaur Sahib.
Yet, losing in Gidderbaha Municipal Council, a bastion for Congress leader Warring, is viewed as a considerable setback.
The BJP had aimed to expand its presence but fell short of expectations, particularly in urban areas where it had hoped for a significant victory, despite intentions to contest the 2027 assembly elections independently.
The election results have brought some relief to Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD, demonstrating it still retains support within urban demographics.
