The Bharatiya Janata Party has received a severe setback in the Municipal Corporation election in Punjab. In contrast the ruling Congress has done remarkably well, sweeping eight of the seven Municipal Corporations whose result were announced on February 17.
This was the first election held in Punjab after the break of Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance in September last following the passage of the three farm laws.
The Congress won seven Municipal Corporation where election was held on February 14. They are Abohar, Bhatinda, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Kapurthala, Pathankot and Batala.
Incidentally, Hoshiarpur parliamentary seat is represented by Union minister of state Som Prakash, and Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat (Pathankot Municipal Corporation falls in it) by film-star and BJP MP Sunny Deol. In the same way, Bhatinda Lok Sabha seat is represented by former Union minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The Congress has won Bhatinda after 53 long years. Harsimrat is the wife of former Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The result of Mohali Municipal Corporation would be announced on February 18.
As Punjab is going to elect new Assembly early in 2022 the drubbing BJP and Akali Dal have received has come as an eye-opener for both. Besides, the margins of victory of Congress in all the corporations are much bigger.
Political observers are of the view that the rout of the BJP reflects the growing hostile mood of the people towards the saffron party after the launch of the farmers’ movement in September last.
