Aam Aadmi Party Wins 5 Out of 8 Municipal Corporations in Punjab; CM Bhagwant Mann Calls It a ‘Trailer’ for the 2027 Assembly Elections

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has achieved a resounding victory in the results of the Punjab local body elections. In the results declared on Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party secured a sweeping victory in 5 out of the state’s total 8 municipal corporations. Following this bumper win, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has termed it a “trailer” for the Assembly elections scheduled to take place in 2027. However, in this electoral contest, the main opposition parties—the Congress and the BJP—also secured significant victories in certain seats. While an atmosphere of massive celebration prevails within the Aam Aadmi Party’s camp following this electoral verdict, opposition parties are leveling allegations of irregularities in the vote counting process.

In terms of statistics, votes were cast for a total of 8 municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 20 municipal committees across Punjab. Looking specifically at the results for the 8 municipal corporations, the Aam Aadmi Party has secured control over 5 locations, including Mohali, Barnala, Batala, Moga, and Bathinda. Meanwhile, the Congress emerged victorious in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation, while the BJP secured an absolute majority in Abohar and emerged as the single largest party in Pathankot. Out of a total of 1,977 wards, the Aam Aadmi Party secured 954 seats—a figure well in excess of the required majority. The Congress finished in second place, winning 390 wards; independents secured 251 wards, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won 191, and the BJP secured 170 wards. Furthermore, the Aam Aadmi Party also demonstrated its dominance in the municipal council elections, securing approximately 45 out of the 75 seats.

In this electoral contest—where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demonstrated its dominance—the Congress party pulled off a major upset to secure victory in the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation. By winning 31 out of the 50 wards here, the Congress dealt a significant blow to the AAP. On the other hand, the BJP claimed the Abohar Municipal Corporation, while emerging as the single largest party in Pathankot. Following these results, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the public has reposed its faith in his government’s developmental initiatives. Taking a jibe at the BJP, he remarked that the people of Punjab have rejected the “ED Party,” as the state’s populace does not appreciate the politics of coercion.

Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the “ED Party” has been completely wiped out from every city and town across Punjab today. He noted that in recent days—by weaponizing the ED—they had intimidated, harassed, and threatened small shopkeepers, ordinary traders, and Hindu businessmen throughout Punjab; today, the public has exacted full retribution for this through the power of their vote. He further cautioned all traders in Punjab to remain vigilant, warning that following this crushing defeat, these individuals might plan to conduct even more raids in the days to come. He urged everyone to stay alert, assuring them that his government stands firmly by their side at every step and will not rest until these elements are driven out of Punjab.

Arvind Kejriwal added that certain individuals had been persistently spreading rumors that the Aam Aadmi Party’s influence was limited to villages and that it was weak in urban areas. Today, the results of the civic body elections have effectively silenced such critics. These results have unequivocally demonstrated that our party is exceptionally strong in urban centers as well. The urban population of Punjab now places just as much trust in the Aam Aadmi Party as their counterparts in rural regions do. In essence, the people have placed their seal of approval on the exemplary work undertaken by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Experts Weigh In: Civic Election Victory Not a Benchmark for Assembly Polls
While the Aam Aadmi Party may be celebrating its success at this moment, political analysts do not consider these results to be the definitive benchmark for the 2027 Legislative Assembly elections. Speaking on the matter, political expert Professor Kuldeep Singh stated that the results of local body elections differ significantly from those of the main state elections. Citing historical precedent, he explained that while the Congress party achieved a resounding victory in the 2021 local body polls, it suffered a crushing defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections. Similarly, in 2015, the Akali Dal won the local body elections but subsequently lost power in 2017. Experts also suggest that these results have sent a clear message to the BJP: it remains a weak force in Punjab without an alliance with the Akali Dal.

Meanwhile, following the declaration of the election results, the opposition has begun accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of misusing government machinery. Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that the government resorted to rigging in order to secure a victory. The Congress party, too, has leveled allegations of irregularities in the vote counting process—particularly regarding the Gidderbaha seat, where the Aam Aadmi Party was declared the winner in 17 out of the 19 wards. Nevertheless, amidst these allegations and claims, the Aam Aadmi Party has, for the time being, demonstrated that it holds an extremely strong foothold in the urban areas of Punjab.