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AAP Commands Punjab Rural Body Polls With Statewide Lead in Final Tally

Despite the statewide lead, AAP must court independents in multiple zila parishads to form bodies.

Overview

  • AAP finished first with 218 zila parishad seats and 1,531 block samiti seats, followed by Congress with 62 and 612, SAD with 46 and 445, and the BJP with 7 and 73.
  • Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hailed the verdict as approval of the government’s work, while Congress, BJP and SAD alleged misuse of state machinery and irregularities.
  • AAP lacks clear majorities in nine of 22 zila parishads, leaving independents and small blocs pivotal in districts such as Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Ferozepur and Pathankot.
  • SAD regained ground in the Malwa belt, securing majorities in Bathinda and Muktsar and positioning to lead local bodies in parts of the region.
  • Turnout was about 48% and re-polling was ordered on December 16 at several stations after incidents of violence during the December 14 vote.