BJP’s Pooja Wadhwa becomes Abohar’s first woman Mayor

Reacting to the result, Sunil Jakhar said the victory belonged to BJP workers and reflected the people’s faith in democracy. “The people of Abohar have sent a message to the entire Punjab that there is no place for criminal elements in the state’s politics,” he said.

Alleging that the AAP government had “lost the people’s trust”, Jakhar claimed its leaders had been forced to induct “undesirable elements” into the party to win elections. “Punjab has never accepted such politics and will not accept it in future,” he said.

He also accused the Punjab government of encouraging the criminalisation of politics. “The government had promised to eliminate gangsters, but instead it is promoting criminalisation by admitting undesirable elements into the AAP,” he alleged.

Jakhar said the BJP had chosen a woman as Abohar Mayor in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women’s empowerment, adding that Wadhwa’s family had been associated with public service for years.

Describing the result as a victory for the people of Abohar, Jakhar said it would strengthen the BJP’s prospects in Punjab. “This victory lays the foundation for the BJP to form the next government in the state. We are confident of winning the next Assembly elections and providing good governance in accordance with the wishes of the people,” he said.