Punjab Municipal Corporation Election Results 2026: AAP wins over 48% of wards; Congress remains in second place

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as the biggest winner in the Punjab civic body elections, securing more than 48 per cent of the total wards contested across the state. The results are being seen as a major boost for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling party ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections expected next year.

With counting continuing late into the evening, AAP maintained a clear lead over its rivals, while the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) trailed behind.

How Many Wards Did AAP Win In Punjab Civic Polls?

According to the Punjab State Election Commission, AAP won 954 out of 1,977 wards whose results had been declared by Friday night.


The Congress finished second with 393 wards, followed by the Shiromani Akali Dal with 192 wards and the BJP with 172 wards.

Independent candidates also performed strongly, winning 251 wards, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) secured seven wards.

AAP Registers Big Wins In Key Municipal Corporations

The ruling party recorded impressive victories in several major municipal corporations.
AAP won:

• 30 wards in Moga
• 36 wards in Barnala
• 31 wards in Bathinda
• 30 wards in Batala

The party also emerged as the single largest party in Mohali, winning 26 wards.

Meanwhile, the Congress dominated Kapurthala by securing 31 wards. The BJP emerged as the largest party in Pathankot and Abohar with 22 and 28 wards respectively.

Bhagwant Mann Calls Results A Vote For Development

Reacting to the results, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the people had endorsed his government's development-focused agenda.

He claimed voters rejected what he described as the opposition's "politics of hatred" and divisive campaigns.

According to Mann, the election outcome reflects public support for the work carried out by the state government over the past few years.

Arvind Kejriwal Thanks Punjab Voters

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal thanked voters for delivering what he called a "spectacular" victory.

He said the results showed public approval of the Mann government's performance and promised that the party would continue working for the state's development.

Kejriwal also attacked the BJP during his reaction to the poll outcome, claiming voters had rejected its political approach in Punjab.

Opposition Parties Allege Misuse Of Power

Despite AAP's strong performance, opposition parties criticised the ruling government and accused it of misusing official machinery during the elections.

The Congress, BJP and SAD alleged that the state government used its position to influence the local body polls, claims that AAP has consistently denied.

Dhuri And Gidderbaha Deliver Big Victories For AAP

AAP recorded a near-clean sweep in the Dhuri Municipal Council, winning 19 out of 21 wards. Dhuri is represented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the Punjab Assembly.

The party also won 17 of the 19 wards in Gidderbaha, a constituency often associated with Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

However, the Congress performed well in Chamkaur Sahib Municipal Council, securing seven of the 13 wards.

What Do The Results Mean For Punjab Politics?

The civic body elections were widely viewed as a political test ahead of the next Assembly elections.

For AAP, the results strengthen its position and provide momentum going into the state poll battle. For the Congress, victories in areas such as Kapurthala offer some encouragement, although setbacks in strongholds like Gidderbaha could raise concerns.

The BJP, which had hoped to expand its urban support base, failed to make the breakthrough it was aiming for, while SAD's performance suggested that the party still retains a section of its traditional support in urban Punjab.

Why These Results Matter Ahead Of The 2027 Assembly Elections

The Punjab civic body elections are often seen as an indicator of public mood before larger state contests. AAP's strong showing is likely to boost confidence within the party as it prepares for future electoral challenges.

At the same time, the results provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of Punjab's major political parties, setting the stage for an intense political contest in the years ahead.

Inputs from agencies