As BJP-SAD win in Chandigarh muncipality polls, is Congress losing its momentum in Punjab?

The victory ahead of the upcoming crucial Punjab Assembly polls could be a clear indicator of which way the election would go.

By: News Desk |
December 20, 2016 6:21 pm

Tags: BJP, Congress, Indian National Congress, Punjab,

The BJP-Shiromani Akali Dal alliance today attained clear majority in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (CMC) elections winning 20 out of the 26 wards.

The victory ahead of the upcoming crucial Punjab Assembly polls could be a clear indicator of which way the election would go.

Out of the 26 seats, 20 went to BJP, four to Congress and Akali Dal one. An independent candidate got one seat.

Prominent among those who won were BJP Mayor Arun Sood, and Congress stalwart Devinder Singh Babla.

Election to 26 wards of the Municipal Corporation was being seen as a litmus test for BJP and Congress post demonetisation.

Congress had made demonetisation a major issue in the polls, with its city unit leaders saying the move was implemented without any ‘application of mind’ and had put the public to ‘great hardships’. However, it seems that the voters had no impact of the Congress’rant over the issue of demonetisation.

We thank the people of Chandigarh for the mandate. We implemented Modi Ji’s schemes at ground level and result shows it: Kirron Kher, BJP pic.twitter.com/3tLMuL5yBK

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 20, 2016

Previously, the BJP-Akali Dal alliance held 12 seats, Congress had 11 and Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party had two. The Congress party turned out to be the biggest loser in the civic polls.

Here’s how the CMC polls can impact Punjab polls:

The ruling government is already facing an anti-incumbency factor after having ruled for 10 years. In such a scenario today’s victory may prove to be a big boost for the ruling BJP-SAD alliance.

Historic victory of BJP-Akali coalition in MC Chandigarh,a testimonial of progressive&clean governance under leadership of @narendramodi Ji.

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) December 20, 2016

Though the opposition parties left no stone unturned to attack the BJP over the issue of demonetisation, the party has surely a reason to celebrate its victory in municipal polls. The results indicate that the people have accepted PM Modi’s decision of demonetising Rs 500 and 1000 notes.
The victory in Chandigarh comes after the BJP performed well in civic elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The party has credited these successes to demonetisation and its ‘motive’ to fight against corruption and terrorism.