Punjab civic poll outcome endorsement of AAP govt's development works: Bhagwant Mann

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday dubbed AAP's victory in the municipal elections as a "decisive endorsement" of his government's "development-driven governance model" and a complete rejection of the "opposition's politics of hatred, division and negativity".

Asserting that Punjabis had "swept out" the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, Mann said the verdict reflected people's faith in AAP government's works including free electricity, quality education, better and free healthcare, employment generation and other public welfare initiatives.

Claiming AAP's dominance across Punjab, including its emphatic victory in Dhuri where the party won 19 of 21 seats, he said the results had reduced the BJP, which he called the "ED Party", to the fifth position and sent a clear message that Punjab was firmly backing the politics of performance.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has won over 950 of the 1,977 wards till around 9 pm on Friday and is leading in many others even as counting of votes for the civic body elections in Punjab is underway.

The chief minister asserted that the mandate was also an indication that AAP was on course to surpass its historic 2022 assembly election performance in 2027, while assuring that every city, town and village in Punjab would witness equal development without any discrimination.

Addressing mediapersons here on Friday evening, Mann commented on the results and trends available, and said, "People of Punjab have defeated politics of hatred and supported developmental politics. They have rejected parties which indulge in divisive politics." He said the people have supported developmental works carried out by AAP dispensation.

"Standing in queues in hot weather, people came out to cast their vote," he said.

Mann said these were not the first elections since AAP rode to power in 2022, securing a massive win in the assembly polls.

He said AAP secured victories, be it the panchayat polls, assembly bypolls or the Lok Sabha by-election.

Every time, he said, "friends in the media" used to dub those elections as semi-finals ahead of the 2027 assembly polls.

The combined strength of opposition parties had failed to match the support received by AAP, he said.

"The Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, which I call the ED party, together could not even reach the number of seats won by AAP. The people have completely rejected their negative and divisive agenda. Even in urban areas, which the BJP considers its traditional vote base, voters have decisively rejected them," he said.

Referring to the BJP's performance, Mann said, "The BJP could not save its security deposits on more than 1,000 seats. Despite creating so much hype, it has ended up in the fifth position in these elections.

"In many places, even independent candidates have won more seats than the BJP. It appeared as though the BJP was competing only with NOTA." "These results have made it clear that the path for AAP in 2027 is becoming stronger. The people have also taught a lesson to those who tried to misuse the ED and central agencies to harass AAP leaders and workers," he said.

Commenting on former AAP Rajya Sabha members who left the party, Mann said, "Those who chose to backstab the party have received an answer from the people. They should look within and reflect on what they have achieved because the people of Punjab have rejected them." Citing constituency-wise results, Mann said the verdict reflected strong support for AAP across Punjab.

"In Gidderbaha, the home turf of the Punjab Congress president, AAP won 17 out of 19 seats. In Barnala, associated with the newly appointed Punjab BJP chief, the BJP was nowhere in the picture while AAP won 37 out of 50 seats," he said.

Mann said that the support for the party's policies was visible across all regions of the state.

"From my own Dhuri assembly segment, AAP has won 19 out of 21 seats. Opposition parties may have registered victories in isolated pockets but AAP has won across Doaba, Majha and Malwa. People have voted for free electricity, Aam Aadmi Clinics, daytime power supply for farmers, quality school education and other public welfare initiatives." The chief minister said the scale of the victory reflected broad support from every section of society.

"The Congress and the Akali Dal may continue their old habit of complaining after defeat but they should accept the people's verdict with grace. In many places, they were not even able to find candidates to contest," he remarked.

"These results are only the beginning. AAP will continue to strengthen its position and win more seats in the assembly elections.

"By God's grace, Sunil Jakhar left his post at the right time. Raja Warring, meanwhile, will have some difficult questions to answer when his party leadership meets in Delhi," Mann said.

Responding to a question on Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's conduct during polling, the chief minister said, "The theatrics witnessed on polling day were unnecessary and undesirable. Such behaviour does not suit a person holding a constitutional position." On concerns raised about voting systems, Mann said, "Some parties object to both ballot papers and EVMs whenever they lose. The Election Commission of India should clear the air by dispelling misconceptions surrounding EVMs."