The Punjab civic polls have reshaped the state’s political landscape, offering food for thought to major parties. While AAP’s significant gains signal progress, its struggles in key regions highlight vulnerabilities, offering Congress an opportunity to reclaim prominence. A report by Aayush Goel
The recently concluded Punjab civic polls have fluttered the political scenario in the state leaving all major political parties to introspect and draw lessons. The elections in the state were held for five municipal corporations and 41 municipal councils and nagar panchayats.
The results have put the key spotlight on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which has managed to grab 55 percent of seats but is far from a clear winner. The popular opinion calls the party’s performance poor, having secured a clear-cut majority in only one corporation out of five. The party however puts up a brave face calling results a historic leap and a significant milestone from zero percent in the last elections to 55 percent.
AAP won Patiala Municipal Corporation, emerged as the single largest party in Ludhiana and Jalandhar municipal corporations, but witnessed subdued performance in Amritsar and Phagwara municipal corporations. Congress won Amritsar Municipal Corporation and emerged as the single largest party in Phagwara.
Punjab AAP President Aman Arora claimed that the party is now officially the ‘No. 1 party’ in Punjab’s urban areas. “We have shattered the illusion that the BJP and Congress are the strongest parties in urban areas. In this election, AAP won more than 55 percent of the seats. Together, SAD-BJP and Congress could not even secure 45 percent,” said Arora.
AAP is celebrating a ‘crushing’ defeat of the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The BJP won merely 7 percent of the seats, with 69 of its candidates emerging victorious.
Similarly, SAD managed to win only 3 percent of the seats, with just 31 of its candidates securing victory. BSP had 5 winners and could secure victory in only 0.5 percent of the seats. The number of independent candidates who won stood at 143, and their victory percentage was approximately 15 percent. While AAP managed to maintain its footing in some areas, the results have exposed its vulnerabilities and challenge to tap Punjab’s urban centres.
CM suffers setback at home turf
Though AAP clinched Patiala with a decisive win while emerging as the single largest party in Ludhiana and Jalandhar, but fell short of a majority in key regions, bringing its urban appeal under question. The polls in Patiala were marred by controversy after the Punjab and Haryana High Court reprimanded the state government over alleged irregularities, including a viral video of a BJP candidate’s nomination papers being snatched. As a result, elections in seven of the city’s 60 wards were deferred. AAP managed to secure 35 of the 45 contested wards, including eight unopposed victories, ensuring a clear majority.
