- By Aditya Jha
- Fri, 29 May 2026 01:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Punjab Civic Polls 2026: The counting for the Punjab civic polls is ongoing, with early trends suggesting an edge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The polls were held across eight multiple corporations, 75 municipal councils, and 19 nagar panchayats. The local elections are crucial before the 2027 assembly polls in Punjab, as they have influence on over 90 of the total 117 constituencies. The poll results are likely to be closely watched by the AAP and the opposition parties Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and BJP.
Crucial Test For AAP
The local election is very crucial for the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, as it recently witnessed a major political setback after seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP. The local polls are being considered a litmus test for the AAP as they will set the tone for the assembly election. The party is expected to contest the assembly polls strongly under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann if it continues its strong grip over the urban regions.
Congress, SAD Expect Comeback
The key opposition parties, Congress and SAD, will also try to improve their tallies, especially in their strongholds, to send a larger message. Congress, after winning 7 of the total 13 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, is expecting a strong comeback in the 2027 polls. The party has reportedly strengthened its organisation in the rural regions in the past few months.
Apart from this, following a split with the BJP during the farmers' protest, the Akali Dal is also trying to establish its authority in its bastion. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has stated that the civic polls are an opportunity to revive the party and the state.
All Eyes On Civic Body Polls
The results of the civic body polls in Punjab usually give a larger picture ahead of the assembly polls. While the AAP will expect to maintain its hold on the urban regions, the Congress and other opposition parties are hopeful to exploit the anti-incumbency.