The recent elections for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti seats in Punjab have painted a complex political picture, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) maintaining an overall lead but facing spirited challenges from a resurgent opposition. The trends and results from the polls held on December 14 indicate that while AAP is in the driver's seat, the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have found significant pockets of strength, preventing a clean sweep.
AAP's Dominance Meets Stiff Regional Competition
The overall narrative from the counting trends confirms the Aam Aadmi Party's position as the state's principal political force. However, the results are far from a uniform wave, revealing deep regional variations. The Congress party secured the second position in many areas, though it cited several narrow defeats that could have altered the tally. More notably, the Shiromani Akali Dal demonstrated a clear resurgence in its traditional strongholds, signaling a potential recovery after a period of electoral setbacks.
Doaba and Malwa: Contrasting Battlegrounds
In the Doaba region, the Congress put up a remarkably strong fight. A clear example emerged from Jalandhar, where results for 114 out of 188 Panchayat Samiti zones were declared. Here, AAP won 38 zones, closely followed by Congress with 36. The Shiromani Akali Dal secured 14 zones, the BSP won 16, and independent candidates captured 10.
The political landscape in the Malwa region was even more fragmented, with no single party achieving a clear sweep. Although AAP was leading in a majority of zones, the Akali Dal staged a notable comeback. In Bathinda district, SAD led in a majority of Panchayat Samiti zones. The party's presence was strongly felt across Malwa, with its candidates leading or winning in several constituencies within Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, and Muktsar districts. The counting process in Malwa was marred by protests at multiple locations over allegations of malpractices.
Continued Momentum from Byelection
The Akali Dal's improved performance follows a significant signal sent during the Tarn Taran by-election in November 2025. In that contest, SAD reclaimed its position as the primary challenger to AAP. While AAP's candidate, Harmeet Singh Sandhu—a former Akali leader—won the seat, SAD's Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa finished a strong second with over 30,500 votes. That result was particularly striking as it pushed the Congress and BJP to a distant fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Detailed Results from Key Districts
In Patiala district, AAP's strength was evident in Zila Parishad victories, winning three seats including one in Rajpura and two in Sanaur. The picture in the Panchayat Samiti elections within the district, however, was mixed. Across four blocks—Rajpura, Sanaur, Bhunarhedi, and Patiala rural—comprising 68 zones, AAP bagged 45 seats. The Congress won 12, SAD secured 7, and independents took 4.
A block-wise breakdown reveals finer details:
- In Rajpura's 15 zones: AAP won 6, Congress won 8, and Akalis won 1.
- In Sanaur's 19 zones: AAP won 14, Congress won 2, and independents won 3. AAP also won both Zila Parishad zones in Sanaur.
- In Patiala Rural's 15 zones: AAP won 10 and SAD won 5.
The elections underscore a political landscape in Punjab where the ruling party maintains an edge but faces a revitalized and regionally potent opposition. The Congress remains a formidable contender, especially in Doaba, while the Shiromani Akali Dal has successfully leveraged its core support in Malwa to mark a credible return. These local body results set the stage for more intense political contests in the state in the coming years.
