File photo of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash SIngh Badal
The Akali Dal-BJP alliance has swept the civic polls in Punjab, winning more than half of the 2,037 wards. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said it was a mandate in favour of his government's "pro-people" and "development oriented policies."
The Akali Dal wrested control on 813 wards and the BJP won 348 wards in results declared till late evening.
The Congress, which was looking to strengthen its position in these elections, won 253 wards. Independent candidates won 624 seats, an official of Punjab Election Commission said.
There was a clean sweep for SAD in Amritsar, Moga, Tarn Taran and Mohali while Congress was able to gain majority in Nurmahal, Khanna, Doraha, Patran, Malerkotla, Abohar, Gidderbaha and Nawanshahar towns.
BJP led in the wards of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Mukerian, Dasuya, Nangal, Tanda, Rajpura, Deenanagar and Sujanpur.
Interestingly, in Tarn Taran where the ruling allies were in a direct contest, the Akali Dal won in 16 wards while BJP managed to win seven seats.
The Chief Minister said the poll results were a "triumph of clean, transparent and good governance of alliance over the "malicious propaganda" based on divisive politics and dirty tactics applied by the Congress.