Fewer seats but AAP wins Phagwara mayor polls, Congress cries foul

Tejpal Basra, a councillor who joined the AAP after leaving the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) earlier in the day, was elected senior deputy mayor while Vipan Krishna was elected deputy mayor.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier appointed retired judge Habans Lal as an independent observer for the mayoral elections.

In the last month’s municipal polls, the Congress had won 22 seats and AAP 12. Congress had formed an alliance with the BSP, which secured three seats taking their joint tally to 25. Phagwara Assembly segment is represented by Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal and he is eligible to vote in the mayoral polls. Additionally, Congress had also secured the support of four independent councillors soon after the results were declared on December 21, 2024.

A lot of chaos was witnessed in Phagwara mayoral elections as earlier 21 councillors of Congress had secured pre-arrest bail apprehending being implicated in false and fabricated cases. The mayoral polls were earlier scheduled for January 25, but had to be postponed.

After the mayoral elections were announced, the Congress accused the AAP of violating the norms of democracy. The Congress councillors and their supporters raised slogans against the AAP-led Punjab government in a demonstration held outside the Public Work Department Rest House.

Meanwhile, AAP state chief Aman Arora congratulated the newly elected office bearers and emphasized that the decision to elect an AAP mayor reflects the councillors’ focus on Phagwara’s development over party politics. “This victory is a result of the hard work of our dedicated party workers. The councillors have prioritized the city’s development, putting aside political differences,” Arora said, expressing gratitude to the councillors from other parties who cross-voted. Addressing media, Arora, flanked by AAP leaders Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Dr Sunny Ahluwalia, highlighted that AAP had secured a clear majority in 41 out of the 46 municipalities, councils, and panchayats in the recently held elections across Punjab.

Addressing the people of Phagwara, Arora said, “I want to assure the people of Phagwara that now it is our responsibility to prioritize the development of Phagwara above party politics.

“I also appeal to councillors from opposition parties not to feel disheartened thinking that their party’s mayor is not in power. You can bring your issues to our mayor, and he will resolve them as well. We believe in inclusive development,” he added.

Arora said that the five “guarantees” promised to the people of Phagwara during the elections will be implemented.