The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as the clear winner in the Punjab civic polls, securing more than 48 per cent of the municipal wards and winning over 900 seats across the state. The Congress finished a distant second, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slipped to the fifth position, trailing behind both Independent candidates and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

The results marked a significant victory for AAP in the local body elections. Party workers celebrated the outcome at party offices across Punjab by dancing to the beats of the dhol and distributing sweets. The strong performance further strengthened AAP’s position in the state, where it currently holds power.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal thanked the people of Punjab for supporting the party in large numbers. While reacting to the results, he also took a swipe at the BJP, referring to it as the “ED party.” He said, “The ED party has been wiped out. The ED party, which harassed people by conducting so many raids on small traders in Punjab, has today been avenged by the people.”

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also welcomed the party’s victory and said the election outcome reflected the rejection of divisive politics. He stated that the “politics of hatred” had been defeated.

According to the results available till 11 pm, a total of 1,977 wards participated in the civic elections. AAP won 957 wards, giving it a comfortable lead over all other parties. The Congress secured 397 wards and finished second. Independent candidates performed strongly and won 251 wards, placing them third in the overall tally.

The Shiromani Akali Dal secured 191 wards and finished fourth, while the BJP managed to win only 167 wards, placing it fifth in the elections. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won seven wards.

The figures released by the Punjab State Election Commission confirmed AAP’s dominance in the elections. Out of the 1,977 wards that went to polls, the party secured 957 seats. Congress remained far behind with 397 seats. Independent candidates continued to hold a notable presence by winning 251 wards. SAD won 191 wards, while BJP could secure only 167. BSP rounded off the tally with seven wards.

The civic elections were held on May 26 for 102 municipal bodies across Punjab. These included 1,897 wards spread across eight municipal corporations located in Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot. In addition, elections were conducted for 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats.

A total of 80 candidates were elected unopposed before polling. The final results of the eight municipal corporations were still awaited at the time of reporting.

AAP also delivered a strong performance in Sangrur district. Across the four municipalities of Sunam, Dhuri, Bhawanigarh and Longowal, which together account for 74 wards, the party established unassailable leads. The outcome reflected AAP’s growing influence in the district and further strengthened its statewide performance.

One of the most notable developments came from Pathankot, traditionally considered a BJP stronghold. In the 50-member civic body, AAP secured victory in 23 wards. Congress won 12 wards, while the BJP managed to win only eight. The result represented a significant breakthrough for AAP in a region where the BJP had previously enjoyed strong support.

AAP also dominated the Mohali Municipal Corporation. In the 50-ward civic House, the party won more than 20 of the 35 seats declared, giving it a commanding position in the corporation. Among the prominent AAP candidates who registered victories were Sunny Singh Ahluwalia from Ward No. 6 and Sarabjeet Singh Samana from Ward No. 42.

The civic poll results have provided AAP with a major political boost in Punjab. The party not only maintained its strong presence across urban local bodies but also expanded its influence in areas previously considered difficult for it. With Congress remaining a distant second and BJP falling to fifth place, the results underline AAP’s continuing dominance in the state’s political landscape.