Punjab: In a significant turn of events, the results of the municipal elections held on Saturday in Punjab for five municipal corporations and 44 municipal councils were announced late at night. By 11 PM, it was clear that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had gained control of three out of five municipal corporations, while the Congress secured victories in the remaining two. AAP is set to appoint its mayors in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala, while Congress has emerged victorious in Fagwara and Amritsar. Previously, Congress held dominance in all the corporations.
In Jalandhar, AAP fell short of a majority by five seats, yet it will have its mayor. Patiala saw AAP win 35 seats, solidifying its mayoral position there. AAP is leading in Ludhiana, where Congress’s former minister Bharat Bhushan Aashu’s wife, Mamta Aashu, has faced defeat. In Fagwara, Congress gained 22 seats, becoming the largest party, and will have its mayor. In Amritsar, Congress maintained its lead. Notably, former mayor Jagdish Raja and his wife, who left Congress to join AAP, lost in Jalandhar.
Results Summary:
- Fagwara: AAP 12, Congress 22, BJP 5, SAD 2, BSP 1, and 3 Independents.
- Ludhiana: Congress 21, AAP 34, BJP 14, and SAD 3.
- Patiala: AAP 35, BJP 4, Congress 2, and SAD 2 (seven wards were not contested).
- Amritsar: Congress 10, AAP 11, BJP 1, and 4 seats won by Independents.
- Jalandhar: AAP 38, Congress 25, BJP 19, BSP 1, and 2 Independents.