Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday declared the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s sweeping victory in the municipal elections as a decisive endorsement of the Punjab Government’s development-driven governance model and a complete rejection of the opposition’s politics of hatred, division and negativity. Stating that Punjabis had “swept out” the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the verdict reflected people’s faith in free electricity, quality education, better and free healthcare, employment generation and other public welfare initiatives.
Pointing to 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 fifth position and sent a clear message that Punjab was firmly backing the politics of performance. The Chief Minister asserted that the mandate was also an indication that the AAP was on course to surpass its historic 2022 Assembly election performance in 2027, while assuring that every city, town and pind in Punjab would witness equal development without any discrimination.
Addressing a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The people of Punjab have shown the door to communal forces and have given a resounding verdict in favour of secularism and the Aam Aadmi Party. Despite the scorching heat, people came out to vote for safeguarding democracy, which is a very encouraging sign.”
Highlighting the party’s electoral performance over the last four years, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people from every section of society have consistently stood with the AAP and its policies. “AAP won more than 11,000 panchayat seats out of nearly 13,000. The by-elections to the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, four Vidhan Sabha seats, Zila Parishads, Block Samitis, and now Nagar Councils and Nagar Panchayats have all demonstrated that public support for the AAP continues to grow,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the combined strength of opposition parties had failed to match the support received by the AAP. “Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, which I call the ED party, together could not even reach the number of seats won by the 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 stated.
Referring to the BJP’s performance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The BJP could not save its deposits on more than 1,000 seats. Despite creating so much hype, it has ended up in 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.”
The Chief Minister said that the AAP had secured a sweeping mandate in the elections and thanked party karyakartas for their tireless efforts.. “These results have made it clear that the path for the 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, CM Bhagwant Singh 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, the Chief Minister said the verdict reflected strong support for the AAP across Punjab. “In Gidderbaha, the home turf of the Punjab Congress president, the 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 the AAP won 37 out of 50 seats,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the support for the party’s policies was visible across all regions of the state. “From my own Dhuri Assembly segment, the AAP has won 19 out of 21 seats. Opposition parties may have registered victories in isolated pockets, but the 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. “Everyone has voted for the AAP, which is why the party has won more than 90 per cent of the seats. 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.
Calling the elections the beginning of a larger political journey, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These results are only the beginning. The 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.”
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, CM Bhagwant Singh 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.”
Thanking the people for the overwhelming mandate, the Chief Minister said the victory would inspire the government to work with even greater dedication. “This win has filled us with humility and gratitude. We will continue serving the people of Punjab with full missionary zeal and commitment,” he added.
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