Congress makes partial recovery in Ludhiana civic elections.

Ludhiana: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which runs the Punjab govt, has retained its municipal dominance in Ludhiana, though a resilient Congress opposition eroded the substantial majorities the party in office achieved during its 2022 landslide.While AAP secured the highest overall seat tally across six local councils, the results fell short of a clean sweep in a district where the party holds 14 of 15 state assembly seats. The outcome marks a partial recovery for Congress, which dominated these same councils during the 2021 municipal elections when it held state power.The most significant setback for the govt occurred in Raikot, where Congress captured 11 of 15 wards. The loss caused internal embarrassment for AAP, given its local lawmaker won the seat by more than 27,000 votes in 2022. Party insiders acknowledged the tide turned against them after a video of an allegedly assaulted Congress candidate went viral on social media, generating a wave of sympathy votes.In Jagraon — historically AAP’s strongest assembly segment in the district — the party stalled, finishing in a dead heat with Congress at nine seats each. Party strategists noted the deadlock, particularly a defeat in the local lawmaker’s home ward, underscores a need for urgent civic improvements ahead of the 2027 state election.The party in office also suffered a narrow defeat in rural Payal, where Congress edged out a two-seat majority, reversing a 33,000-vote victory margin held by AAP since 2022.Conversely, AAP consolidated its position in Khanna, capturing a commanding 25 of 33 wards. The decisive win provides a local boost to Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Sond, who represents the constituency.