The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made significant inroads in Punjab’s municipal elections, securing victories across municipal corporations, councils, and nagar panchayats. In a notable win, BJP’s Poonam Ratra defeated AAP MLA Ashok Prashar Pappi’s wife, Meenu Prashar, by 574 votes in Ludhiana’s Ward 77. Ratra, a veteran BJP member, continues the legacy of her late husband, Om Parkash Ratra, a former councillor.
BJP won several wards in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Phagwara, and Patiala municipal corporations. It also marked its presence in nagar panchayats like Bhadson (Patiala), Bhikhi (Mansa), Dirba (Sangrur), Raja Sansi (Amritsar), and Goraya (Jalandhar), as well as the Sangrur municipal council.
In Ludhiana, BJP district president Rajnish Dhiman reported 18 wins out of the 90 wards contested. By contrast, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) managed only 2 victories out of 78 contested. BJP’s Shobha Rani won Ward 23, where AAP cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian resides, while Ishpreet Kaur claimed Ward 21.
In Phagwara’s municipal corporation, AAP failed to secure a majority, winning only 13 of 50 wards. Congress led with 20 victories, while BJP and SAD won four each. Interestingly, SAD achieved its victories in four of the nine wards it contested, while BJP’s four wins came from 37 candidates.
Bhikhi Nagar Panchayat in Mansa saw Independents winning 7 of 13 wards, followed by AAP with 5 and BJP with 1. In Shahkot (Jalandhar), Congress dominated with 9 of 13 wards, while AAP won 4 and BJP 1. Goraya’s 13 wards saw AAP winning 10, Congress 2, and BJP 1.
In Jalandhar municipal corporation, BJP won 13 of 83 wards contested, while SAD managed three of 31. Amritsar’s results showed BJP winning six of 84 contested wards and SAD securing five of 69.
Patiala municipal corporation, where 53 of 60 wards went to polls, saw BJP win 4 of 25 contested seats, while SAD secured 2 of 26. In Bhadson Nagar Panchayat (Patiala district), BJP surprised with two wins in this semi-urban area.
In Sangrur, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district, AAP failed to secure a majority in the municipal council elections. Of the 29 wards, Independents won 10, Congress 9, AAP 7, and BJP 3. SAD failed to win any seats in this area, a known farmers’ protest hub.
The results indicate BJP’s growing influence in urban and semi-rural Punjab, even as AAP and SAD grappled with mixed performances.
Why should you buy our Subscription?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package
