Punjab’s ruling AAP swept the civic body elections across the district, securing absolute majority in the Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib, Mandi Gobindgarh and Bassi Pathana.
The Opposition parties faced setbacks, with the BJP and the SAD failing to open their accounts in the Sirhind-Fatehgarh Sahib Municipal Council.
Of the total 23 wards, AAP candidates won in 17, while the Congress managed to secure six seats. The emphatic mandate handed AAP a clear majority in the council.
The ruling party also dominated the politically significant and economically strong Mandi Gobindgarh Municipal Council, considered one of the richest councils in Punjab.
Of 29 wards, AAP candidates captured 19 to gain an absolute majority. The Congress candidates won 6 seats, BJP 3 while the SAD managed to win only one seat.
The biggest political shock, however, came from the Bassi Pathana Municipal Council, traditionally regarded as a Congress stronghold.
Factionalism costs Cong dear
For the first time, the Congress failed to open its account there. AAP won nine seats and comfortably secured the majority. Independent candidates won on four seats, while the BJP and the SAD secured one seat each.
Political observers attributed the Congress debacle in Bassi Pathana to intense factionalism and the absence of an effective constituency in-charge.Congress tickets were distributed under the supervision of Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh.
Dr Manohar Singh, brother of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and himself a ticket aspirant from the Bassi Pathana Assembly constituency, backed some candidates contesting as Independents. Most winning Independents are believed to be backed by him.
The impact of internal Congress divisions was also visible in the Khamano Nagar Panchayat, which falls under the Bassi Pathana Assembly segment. Of 13 wards, AAP candidates won in six while the Congress and the SAD secured two seats each. Three Independents also made it to the civic body house.
AAP wins 51 of 80 seats
The poor performance of the Congress in Bassi Pathana was further highlighted by the crushing defeats of block Congress presidents of both Bassi Pathana and Khamano, who reportedly lost their deposits.
Overall, of 80 seats spread across three municipal councils and one nagar panchayat in the district, AAP emerged as the dominant political force by winning 51 seats.
The Congress could secure only 14 seats, while the BJP and the SAD won four seats each. Independents accounted for the remaining seven seats.
Sona Thind, Deputy Commissioner- cum-District Election Officer, and SSP Subham Aggarwal thanked people, polling staff and the police for helping the administration in conducting free and fair elections.
