Congress sweeps Punjab Panchayat Samiti-Zila Parishad polls

The ruling Congress in Punjab has won the most seats in the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections as counting was underway on Saturday.

In Patiala, the Congress has won 43 Panchayat Samiti seats and the Shiromani Akali Dal four. The Akalis suffered a humiliating defeat in their home turf Muktsar as the Congress won 10 of the 13 Zila Parishad zones. All six Zila Parishad seats in Ludhiana were won by the Congress.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh congratulated his party on their victory saying people had endorsed the positive development and rejected the Akalis’ “malicious campaign”.

“Overwhelmed by huge mandate for Congress in Panchayat Samiti-Zila Parishad polls. Voters have seen through vicious campaign of Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party. It is a victory of Punjabis and we will redouble efforts to fulfil promises made to people of Punjab,” said Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, as returns indicate that the ruling Congress party had swept the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad polls in the state.

The Congress won a majority in Gurdaspur by securing 154 of the total 213 Panchayat Samiti zones. In Zila Parishad, the Congress won 15 of the 25 seats and was leading in the remaining seats.

Out of the total 148 seats of the Panchayat Samiti in Bathinda, the Congress won 31, Akalis four and the Aam Adami Party and independents three each. The counting for 107 seats is on.

Sporadic skirmishes, mainly between the Congress and the Akalis, were witnessed during the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls on September 19. The voting percentage was 58%.

A total of 354 Zila Parishad and 2,900 Panchayat Samiti members will be elected. There are 22 Zila Parishads and 150 Panchayat Samitis in the state.

With IANS inputs