Kohli meets winning AAP councillors day after landslide victory in MC poll

A day after his party registered an emphatic win in the municipal corporation election, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli has invited the winning candidates to his residence.

The AAP has secured a clear majority in the House, storming home in 35 of the 45 wards that went to polls. The total tally of AAP councillors stands at 43 as eight of them had earlier been elected unopposed. In the 60-member House, polls have been deferred in seven.

Kohli, who represents the Patiala Urban assembly constituency, said the people have delivered a decisive verdict in favour of his party despite the atmosphere of fear created by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He remarked that the “royal family” has faced defeat in three elections over the past three years, ranging from assembly to Lok Sabha to local body elections. “Despite resorting to tactics, including involving central ministers to disrupt the municipal election atmosphere, the people have soundly defeated them and given a strong response,” he added.

The MLA asserted that the low voter turnout in the urban area was solely due to BJP leaders creating a climate of fear in the city from the outset.

Notably, the civic body elections had seen only 33 per cent turnout, down from 2017’s 67 per cent. Nearly 75,000 of the total 2,27,417 voters sealed the fate of candidates.

Speaking about the appointment of the new mayor, Kohli said that the decision would be taken at the party level.

In ressponse to another query, Kohli said AAP’s doors are always open to everyone, adding, “If any councillor wishes to join the party for the city’s development, they will be warmly welcomed.”

Kohli said the party’s primary goal was the city’s development. “With the cooperation of councillors from all wards, comprehensive and inclusive development of the city will be ensured,” he added.

Newly elected councillors Gurjit Singh Sahni, Tajinder Mehta, Kundan Gogia, Ramanpreet Joni Kohli, Itvinder Singh Luthra, Harpreet Singh Harman, and several others were present at the occassion.