The BJP registered a sweeping victory in the Ambala Municipal Corporation elections on Wednesday, retaining the mayoral post and winning 16 of the 20 wards in the House.
BJP candidate Akshita Saini was elected Mayor after defeating Congress nominee Kulwinder Kaur by a margin of 21,358 votes. Akshita secured 52,794 votes against Kulwinder’s 31,436 votes. Independent candidate Sonia Rani, backed by the AAP and INLD, polled 21,730 votes.
The Congress could manage victories in only three wards, while ward 15 was won by Independent candidate Manoj Sharma, considered a rebel.
Among the winning candidates, BJP’s Vishal Rana won from ward 1, Varkha Rani from ward 2, Manish Anand from ward 3, Varinder Nath from ward 4, Rajesh Mehta from ward 5, Archana Chhibber from ward 6, and Monika Mal from ward 7. Congress candidate Gunjeet Kaur won ward 8.
BJP candidates Shivani Sood, Gurvinder Singh and Kavita Rani emerged victorious from wards 9, 10 and 11, respectively. Kamal Kant Gupta won ward 12, while Shobha Singh secured ward 13 for the BJP. Congress candidates Poonam Sharma and Puneet won wards 14 and 19, respectively. Independent Manoj Sharma won ward 15, while BJP candidates Nikunj, Gurpreet Singh, Hitesh Jain and Sapna Rani won wards 16, 17, 18 and 20, respectively.
The AAP had fielded candidates in seven wards but failed to make any significant impact in the elections.
Following the victory, BJP leaders and workers took out a roadshow in Ambala City to thank voters for supporting the party. BJP district incharge Dharam Veer Mirzapur said, “The people of Ambala have formed a triple-engine government. The victory has given a boost to the BJP and it will have an impact in the Punjab election too.”
Former Minister of State Aseem Goel said the electorate had reaffirmed its faith in the BJP’s policies. “We aim to develop Ambala as a developed city. The people of Ambala have given an appropriate reply to those who had been engaged in the politics of negativity and taking credit for the works done by the BJP,” he said. Expressing gratitude to voters and the party leadership, Akshita Saini said, “I am grateful for the love and support that I have received. I will work for the people of Ambala. We will ensure equal development of all the wards, improve the sanitation conditions, and also facilities for the residents of Ambala.”
The outcome came as a setback for the Congress, especially as Ambala City MLA Nirmal Singh and Ambala MP Varun Chaudhry belong to the party. Congress had contested 19 wards on its symbol and supported an Independent candidate in ward 5.
Ambala District Congress Committee (Urban) president Pawan Aggarwal said the party would review the results. “We accept the mandate of the public. The party managed to win three seats only in the election, and it is being observed that the Independent candidates have done the damage at several seats. On seat number 1 and 13 especially, where the margin of defeat was 68 votes and 23 votes, respectively. The Independent candidate who has won also belongs to Congress. The party has called a meeting of the district unit to discuss the results on Thursday,” he said.
