Arvind Kejriwal hails ‘zabardast jeet’ of AAP in Punjab civic polls, calls BJP ‘ED party’

Calling the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s victory “zabardast”, party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday thanked the people of Punjab after the ruling party secured a sweeping win in most of the urban local bodies that went to the polls earlier this week.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has secured a landslide victory in the 2026 Punjab urban local body elections, winning the highest number of seats with 645 wards and is leading in 81.

Its closest competitor was the Indian National Congress (INC), winning only 248 wards. The Congress is leading in 38. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) won 51 wards and is leading in 42.

As the results emerged by Friday evening, the former Delhi Chief Minister said in a post on X, “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Punjab for the spectacular victory of the Aam Aadmi Party in the urban areas of Punjab. 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 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.”

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Earlier, AAP leader Manish Sisodia and other party leaders celebrated at the AAP headquarters in Chandigarh after leading in the 2026 Punjab municipal elections. Speaking to ANI, Sisodia expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab after gaining dominance in several municipal bodies in the Municipal Election 2026.

"I want to thank the people of Punjab for the faith and respect they have shown towards Arvind Kejriwal. Across Punjab, people have sent a clear message: they appreciate good governance and are satisfied with the work of the past four and a half years. The government has delivered in villages and cities, and voters have responded positively," he said.

Polling for 75 Municipal Councils and 20 Nagar Panchayats across Punjab was held on 26 May. A total of 7,555 candidates are contesting the elections for various Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in the state.

According to election officials, the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded 1,801 candidates, while the Congress has fielded 1,550 candidates. The Bharatiya Janata Party has 1,316 candidates in the fray, and the Shiromani Akali Dal has fielded 1,251 candidates for the civic body polls.

A look at poll results

According to the Punjab State Election Commission data, AAP has won 698 wards so far, while the Congress nominees have been declared winners in 281 wards. Independents won 217 wards, the Shiromani Akali Dal candidates registered victory in 150 wards, followed by the BJP nominees in 79 wards and the BSP in six wards, PTI reported.

In Gidderbaha Municipal Council, AAP won 17 out of 19 wards, while the Congress could win just two wards. Gidderbaha is considered a stronghold of Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

In Dhuri Municipal Council, AAP registered victory in 19 wards while Independents were victorious in two wards. Chief Minister Mann is an MLA from Dhuri assembly segment.

However, in Chamkaur Sahib Municipal Council, the Congress won seven wards, followed by AAP and Independents with three wards each. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh is a former MLA from Chamkaur Sahib assembly segment.

(With inputs from agencies)