Following its first victory in West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP is now targeting Punjab’s 2027 Assembly polls in opposition-ruled territory to broaden its national presence. A day after naming Kewal Singh Dhillon as the first Sikh president of its Punjab unit, the party received positive results from urban local body elections. Across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats covering 1,977 wards, the BJP rose from 49 wards in 2021 to over 170 wards this year. Although it finished fifth behind AAP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and independents, the results indicate growing urban and semi-urban support. The ruling AAP stayed dominant overall, yet BJP gains in several bodies created openings ahead of 2027. Major advances occurred in Abohar Municipal Corporation, where BJP took 28 of 50 seats to AAP’s 20. The area holds symbolic value as the hometown of former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar. In 2021 Congress had won 49 wards there. BJP leaders alleged irregularities after early trends showed over 200 wards before the election website reportedly crashed. A spokesperson said the final tally was moderate but work for 2027 had started. The party also recorded gains across Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa, Patiala and Fazilka districts and opened its account in Bathinda Municipal Corporation. In Mansa, viewed as a farmers’ union stronghold, BJP won six seats in the municipal council. In Malerkotla Municipal Council the party secured one ward by 265 votes over AAP. Mixed results appeared in leader-linked areas. In Barnala, home district of the new Punjab BJP president, the party won seven wards while AAP took 36 of 50. In Pathankot the BJP secured 18 of 50 wards. Despite progress the party still relies mainly on urban Hindu voters and lacks strong rural Sikh-majority roots.
