The Supreme Court has ordered fresh elections in 50 municipal wards across Punjab’s Patiala and Moga districts after a court appointed fact finding commission reported widespread obstruction during the nomination process.
The court has directed that the re election process be completed within six weeks, with safeguards to ensure that the exercise is conducted freely and fairly.
The affected wards include 28 in Patiala district and 22 in Moga district. The Supreme Court accepted the findings of a commission headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, which examined allegations arising from the December 2024 municipal elections.
BJP Accuses AAP Government
Reacting sharply to the verdict, BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the Bhagwant Mann led Aam Aadmi Party government of undermining the democratic process in Punjab. Bhatia alleged that violence and intimidation were used to disrupt the nomination process and prevent Opposition candidates from contesting.
“CM Bhagwant Mann caused violence and disrupted the nomination of Opposition leaders. AAP has murdered democracy,” Bhatia said, intensifying the BJP’s attack on the Punjab government.
Bhatia also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision as significant, arguing that the findings vindicated the concerns raised by Opposition parties over the conduct of the civic elections.
Commission Flags Serious Irregularities
The Supreme Court’s order followed findings of serious irregularities during the nomination process. The commission recorded instances in which nomination papers were allegedly snatched, torn or destroyed, while candidates were assaulted, detained or threatened.
It also found that Opposition candidates had been prevented from filing nominations in several wards.
The court has consequently set aside the affected elections and ordered fresh polling under judicial oversight. The Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has been directed to put in place a monitoring mechanism to oversee the re election process.
Political Battle Intensifies
The verdict has given the BJP fresh ammunition against the AAP government, with Bhatia portraying the Supreme Court’s intervention as evidence of serious failures in the conduct of the earlier civic polls.
The Punjab government, however, did not oppose the acceptance of the commission’s recommendations before the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state, told the court that Punjab had no objection to the recommendations.