Punjab BJP Alleges Irregularities in Municipal Polls, Meets Governor Gulab Chand Kataria

July 11, 2026

Chandigarh: A delegation of the Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by state president Kewal Singh Dhillon, met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday and submitted a memorandum alleging large-scale irregularities and rigging in the recently held municipal elections in the state.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dhillon alleged that the Punjab government had committed “massive rigging” during the civic polls, describing it as unprecedented in Punjab’s electoral history.

#WATCH | Chandigarh | On meeting Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon says, “The issue is that the Punjab government has committed such massive rigging in the recent municipal elections, something unprecedented in the history of any Indian… pic.twitter.com/EoHGG1g895

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2026

He claimed that in several places where the BJP had a majority, rival members were allegedly brought inside polling venues, the doors were locked, and their own candidates were declared elected.

“They hijacked the election in broad daylight,” Dhillon alleged.

Alleges Nomination Papers Were Rejected

Dhillon further alleged that irregularities began during the nomination process itself.

He claimed that valid nomination papers of BJP candidates were rejected, preventing them from contesting the elections in several wards.

According to him, the party submitted a detailed memorandum to Governor Kataria outlining the alleged violations and sought appropriate intervention.

He also said the BJP received a “very positive response” from the Governor and would continue to stand with the people of Punjab.

Targets Congress Over Internal Leadership Row

Responding to AICC General Secretary in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel’s proposed meeting with senior Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi, Dhillon took a swipe at the Congress, alleging that the party was preoccupied with internal leadership disputes.

He claimed that the Congress was divided into factions competing for the Chief Minister’s post and asserted that repeated visits by the party leadership would not resolve the differences.

Dhillon also expressed confidence that the BJP would form the government in Punjab in the future.

The Punjab government has not responded to the BJP’s allegations at the time of publication.