Punjab: AAP wins big in rural body elections

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party registered an emphatic victory in the rural body elections in Punjab, winning 63 per cent zones of zila parishads and 54 per cent zones of panchayat samitis.

- SWATI MAHAJAN

According to the results of elections declared on Thursday, the Congress secured the second spot, while the Shiromani Akali Dal got the third. The BJP was at the fourth position in the rural polls.

As the AAP outpaced Congress, the Akali Dal and the BJP by wide margins, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the verdict left no room for misreading the public mood, calling the outcome a “reminder of the responsibility and humility with which his government must continue to serve the people of Punjab”.

Meanwhile, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said his party’s strong showing in the elections showed that people in rural areas put their stamp of approval on the Bhagwant Mann-led government.

Complete results of the polls came on Thursday after the completion of counting of ballot papers, which began on Tuesday.

Polling was held on December 14 to elect members for 347 zones of 22 zila parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 panchayat samitis.