Chandigarh, May 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News):
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday termed the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) impressive performance in the municipal elections as a massive endorsement of his government’s governance model, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to save its deposits on more than 1,000 seats across the state.
Addressing the media after the declaration of results for Municipal Corporations, Nagar Councils and Nagar Panchayats, Mann said the people of Punjab had decisively rejected the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP, while expressing confidence in AAP’s policies and development-oriented governance.
The Chief Minister said Punjabis had voted in favour of free electricity, quality education, improved healthcare services, employment generation and welfare-driven governance being provided by the AAP government.
Referring to the civic poll results, Mann highlighted that AAP had registered sweeping victories across several urban local bodies, including an emphatic performance in his Assembly constituency Dhuri, where the party won 19 out of 21 seats.
He said the BJP, which he mockingly referred to as the “ED Party”, had been pushed to the fifth position in many places despite projecting itself as a strong urban political force.
“The BJP could not save its deposits on more than 1,000 seats. In several areas, even Independent candidates won more seats than the BJP. It appeared as if the BJP was competing only with NOTA,” Mann remarked.
The Chief Minister said the election verdict had strengthened the AAP’s prospects for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections and suggested that the party was on course to surpass its historic performance of the 2022 Assembly polls.
Mann also said the mandate reflected Punjab’s commitment to secular politics and rejection of divisive and communal forces. He praised voters for turning out in large numbers despite intense summer heat, calling it a strong sign of democratic awareness.
Highlighting the party’s electoral success over the last four years, Mann said AAP had consistently received support from all sections of society. He pointed out that the party had earlier won over 11,000 panchayat seats out of nearly 13,000 in village polls and had also performed strongly in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha by-elections, Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections.
“The combined strength of Congress, SAD and BJP could not match the support secured by AAP alone. The people have completely rejected their negative politics,” he said.
Taking a swipe at former Rajya Sabha members who left the party, Mann said those who “betrayed” AAP had received a clear response from the people and should introspect about their political future.
The Chief Minister also referred to constituency-wise results to underline AAP’s growing political reach. He said that in Gidderbaha, considered the stronghold of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, AAP won 17 out of 19 seats.
Similarly, Mann pointed out that in Barnala, politically associated with newly-appointed Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, the BJP performed poorly while AAP secured a commanding victory by winning 37 out of 50 seats.
Thanking party workers and supporters, Mann said the civic poll outcome had sent a clear message that the people of Punjab stood firmly with the Aam Aadmi Party and its governance agenda. (Agency)
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