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Politics

AAP Wins Phagwara Mayoral Polls Despite Fewer Seats; Congress Alleges Foul Play

In the municipal elections held last month, Congress had won 22 seats, while AAP secured 12.

AAP Wins Phagwara Mayoral Polls Despite Fewer Seats; Congress Alleges Foul Play

3 MCs along with Block president of Congress joined AAP. Image: X/@JhaduWala77

On Saturday (February 2), the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) once again managing to secure key positions in the Phagwara Municipal Corporation. Despite the Congress having the highest number of councillors in the 50-member House, AAP succeeded in getting its candidates elected as mayor, senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor.

Ram Pal Uppal, who recently switched allegiance from Congress to AAP on January 28, emerged victorious in the mayoral election, defeating Congress nominee Sanjeev Bugga, The Indian Express reported.

Meanwhile, Tejpal Basra, another councillor who left the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to join AAP on the day of voting, was elected as the senior deputy mayor, while Vipan Krishna secured the post of deputy mayor.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier assigned retired judge Habans Lal as an independent observer to oversee the elections.

In the municipal elections held last month, Congress had won 22 seats, while AAP secured 12. Congress had formed an alliance with the BSP, which had won three seats, bringing their combined tally to 25. With the support of four independent councillors, Congress expected to have a decisive advantage. Moreover, Phagwara’s Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, who holds voting rights in the mayoral elections, was also counted in their favour. However, the election was marked by controversy and intense political manoeuvring.

Anticipating possible legal action, 21 Congress councillors had obtained pre-arrest bail, fearing what they alleged to be fabricated cases. Initially scheduled for January 25, the polls had to be postponed due to the turmoil.

Following the results, Congress accused AAP of undermining democratic norms, alleging foul play in securing votes. Protesters, including Congress councillors and their supporters, staged demonstrations outside the Public Works Department Rest House, raising slogans against the AAP-led Punjab government.

On the other hand, AAP leaders celebrated their triumph. Punjab state party chief Aman Arora hailed the victory, calling it a testament to the councillors’ commitment to Phagwara’s development over party loyalty.

“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 told the newspaper.

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