New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a resounding victory in the Punjab civic body polls, winning over 45 per cent of the municipal wards in the state.
The AAP bagged 886 of the 1,977 wards, while Congress remained a distant second with 358 wards, as per Punjab State Election Commission data.
Independent candidates triumphed in 246 wards, Shiromani Akali Dal (SA
D) secured 178 wards and the BJP is way behind with 153 as counting is still underway.
It was a day to rejoice for AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who hailed the strong performance in by saying that the “ED party has been wiped out”.
In a post on X, Kejriwal thanked voters for what he called a “spectacular victory” and said the mandate reflected support for the Bhagwant Mann government.
“Congratulations to everyone. By casting this historic vote, the people have applauded the work of the Bhagwant Mann government. We will continue to do good work in the same way in the future,” the former Delhi Chief Minister wrote.
“The ED party, which harassed people by conducting so many raids on small traders in Punjab, has today been avenged by the people,” Kejriwal added.
CM Bhagwant Mann said the results reflected public support for the government’s development agenda and a rejection of “politics of hatred”.
The civic polls are significant as Assembly election is due in Punjab early next year.