Campus to council: PU alumnus wins Bhawanigarh ward

Chandigarh: A 26-year-old Panjab University alumnus and former student leader, Amarpal Singh Toor, has won the election for Ward No. 1 of the Bhawanigarh Municipal Council, marking a transition from campus to electoral politics.

Toor, who contested on a Congress ticket, secured 348 votes to defeat his nearest rival, Aam Aadmi Party candidate Harjeet Singh, who polled 218 votes. According to the official result issued by the returning officer on Friday, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) candidate Gurdeep Singh secured 33 votes, while BJP candidate Anchal Garg got 22 votes. Three voters opted for NOTA. A total of 631 valid votes were polled, while seven votes were rejected. The ward has 855 electors.

An alumnus of the Department of Laws, Panjab University, Toor was actively involved in student politics during his university years and was associated with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Those familiar with campus politics said he remained active on student issues during his time at PU before shifting focus to local political work in Bhawanigarh.

Toor’s victory adds another name to the list of Panjab University alumni who have moved into mainstream politics after a stint in student activism.

He also comes from a family with an established political background in the area. His uncle had earlier served as president of the Bhawanigarh Municipal Council, while the family is associated with the local truck union, giving Toor early exposure to organisational and civic matters.

Speaking after the result, Toor thanked voters for their support and said he would focus on civic issues concerning residents of the ward.

The result was formally declared on Friday, with Toor declared elected councillor from Ward No. 1 of the Bhawanigarh Municipal Council.