The Punjab local body elections have delivered a sweeping mandate for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. The party has crossed the 1,700-seat mark across district councils and panchayat committees. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership clearly shaped the outcome.
In district council and panchayat elections combined, AAP crossed 1,200 seats early in counting. The party secured over 50 percent seats in district council results declared so far. Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal managed around 20 percent seats each. The Bharatiya Janata Party remained far behind.
AAP also dominated the panchayat polls. The party won nearly 1,000 of the 2,486 contested seats. By Thursday evening, results for 2,697 of 2,838 panchayat committee zones were declared. AAP won 1,494 zones. Congress followed with 567 seats. Akali Dal secured 390 zones. BJP won only 75 zones. BSP claimed 28 seats. Independent candidates won 143 zones.
In district council elections, AAP won 206 seats out of 322 declared. Congress secured 60 seats. Akali Dal won 39 seats. BJP managed just four seats. BSP won three seats. Others took ten seats. AAP candidates also won unopposed on 22 seats.
The results underline AAP’s growing grassroots strength in Punjab. Opposition parties now face serious challenges ahead.
