Punjab BJP accuses AAP of subverting the entire electoral process in urban local body polls

Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, July 11, 2026, and accused the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state of misusing the State machinery and subverting the entire electoral process during elections to urban local bodies.

State president of the party, Kewal Singh Dhillon, submitted a memorandum to the Governor alleging misuse of State machinery during the recent municipal corporation, municipal council elections and subsequent mayoral and council chairman elections, asking him to intervene immediately to safeguard constitutional norms and democratic institutions in the State.

“AAP has subverted the entire election process for the sake of political gain. The ruling party first manipulated the ward delimitation to suit its own interests, then intimidated the opposition candidates, seized their nomination papers and tried to prevent them from contesting the elections. Later, despite not having a majority, the AAP government has now appointed its candidates as mayors of municipal corporations and mayors of municipal councils through administrative manipulation,” he told media persons here after the meeting.

He said that the delegation had presented before the Governor documentary evidence showing corruption of people’s mandate through misuse of bureaucracy in various civic institutions where AAP does not have a majority.

Citing the Abohar Municipal Corporation as a salient example, Mr. Dhillon said that in the 50-member Assembly, the BJP had a clear majority with the support of 28 councilors and one MLA, whereas the AAP got only 20 votes. Despite this, the administration announced the AAP mayoral candidate. He added that the mayoral election should be postponed after strong protests from the BJP.