Punjab voted on December 14 to elect members to 22 district councils and 153 panchayat samitis. Voters chose representatives for 347 district council zones and 2,838 panchayat samiti zones. Around 48 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots. More than 9,000 candidates contested the polls.

According to officials, counting remains in progress, and authorities have not yet declared final results. However, early trends place AAP ahead in most regions. Congress holds the second position, followed by the Shiromani Akali Dal. The BJP trails far behind.

AAP has already secured victories in over 60 district council zones. Congress has won more than 10 zones. Akali Dal has won three zones, while BJP has secured one. Independent candidates have won two zones.

In panchayat samitis, AAP leads in over 1,000 zones. Congress follows with over 250 zones. Akali Dal has crossed 170 zones, while BJP has led in over 25 zones.

AAP Punjab president Aman Arora said voters have endorsed the state government’s policies. He claimed nearly 85 percent of declared results favour AAP. Officials expect final results by late evening.

The post Punjab Panchayat Elections 2025: AAP Takes Clear Lead appeared first on India Podcast.

Voting for 347 district council zones and 2,838 block committee zones was held on December 14, with a voter turnout of around 48 percent. Candidates from AAP, Congress, SAD, and BJP contested these crucial grassroots-level elections.

According to early trends, AAP is leading in 18 district councils and has taken a commanding lead in nearly 400 block committee seats. SAD and Congress are trailing, with both parties leading in around 60 block committees each. As AAP consolidates its position, a tough contest is emerging between Congress and SAD for the second spot.

Several candidates were elected unopposed earlier, while counting continues for remaining seats. In total, results for 347 district council and 2,838 block committee seats will be declared. More than 9,000 candidates are in the fray, with their political future being decided at counting centres across Punjab.

The results are seen as a major test for all parties ahead of upcoming Assembly and parliamentary elections.

The post Punjab Local Body Election Results LIVE: AAP Sweeps Ludhiana, Akali Dal Makes Comeback in Villages appeared first on India Podcast.

Out of the 351 unopposed seats, AAP candidates won 340, while eight went to Independents and only three to the Congress. These seats were decided without voting due to nomination errors or the presence of a single candidate. Mann rejected allegations that opposition nominees were stopped from filing papers, calling such claims baseless.

Responding to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s allegation about pre-stamped ballot papers, Mann said Congress had a habit of questioning every election process. “First it was EVMs, now ballots. They should decide how they want elections conducted,” he said.

On Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s remarks, Mann accused Congress leaders of being obsessed with power rather than Punjab’s development. He said internal conflicts would sink the party further.

The Chief Minister also mocked SAD president Sukhbir Badal, saying voters had forced the Akali leadership to reconnect with villages. Mann urged voters to judge parties by performance in the December 14 district council and Panchayat Samiti polls, asserting that AAP was focused on public welfare, not political survival.

The post CM Bhagwant Mann Slams Congress Over Unopposed Panchayat Poll Wins appeared first on India Podcast.

Meanwhile, tension escalated in Khanna on Tuesday when Congress candidates arrived at the BDPO office to obtain NOCs required for filing nominations. Congress leaders alleged that no officials were present, no documents were checked and no NOCs were issued. The situation heated up as angry Congress workers staged a protest and confronted the BDPO, accusing officials of deliberately creating hurdles.

Congress candidate Satnam Singh Soni warned that if NOCs are not issued on time, they will block roads, lock the BDPO office and may even resort to extreme steps. Another leader, Gurvinder Singh Isdu, said they will take the matter to the Election Commission to ensure fair action.

The post AAP Releases First List of 72 Candidates for Punjab Zila Parishad and Block Samiti Elections; Tension Flares in Khanna Over NOC Delay appeared first on India Podcast.