30052026-LT-01.qxd 5/30/2026 12:39 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SERVICES CRIPPLED AS SUVIDHA KENDRA STAFF GO ON STRIKE QUEENS, KINGMAKERS WHO SHAPED SIKH EMPIRE LEGACY SALMAN’S MAATRUBHUMI: MAY WAR REST IN PEACE Workers, recruited through pvt firms, allege they continue to receive meagre salaries despite years of service. P2 Sada Kaur is among most significant strategists & military commanders in history of the Sikh Empire.P3 Salman Khan hosted a screening of the rough cut of his film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 40°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 41°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7.18 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:22 AM » SATURDAY | 30 MAY 2026 | LUDHIANA Big victory as AAP bags 57 of 112 wards, Cong secures 36 in dist Congress impresses in Raikot, Payal by winning 11 & 5 wards, respectively CIVIC POLL VERDICT Mahesh Sharma Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 29 The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged as the biggest winner in the Municipal Council elections across Ludhiana district, securing 57 of the 112 wards while the Congress finished second with 36 seats. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won eight wards, the BJP secured six seats and five Independent candidates also registered victories, highlighting the continued relevance of local leadership in civic politics. The elections were held for six Municipal Councils — Doraha, Jagraon, Khanna, Payal, Raikot and Samrala. Of the total 112 wards, four were won unopposed while polling was conducted in the remaining wards. The results have given AAP a clear edge in urban local bodies of the district, though the Congress managed to retain a strong presence in several towns. AAP’s strongest performance came in Khanna, where the party won 25 of the 33 wards, including one seat that had already been won unop- Ruling party wins 30 of 61 seats in Malerkotla dist Leaders and supporters of AAP; and (right) Congress celebrate the victory of their candidates in Ludhiana on Friday. posed before polling. The result has given the ruling party a commanding position in the municipal council. Meanwhile, the Congress bagged four seats, SAD won two and BJP secured one seat. In Jagraon, AAP secured nine wards, while Congress also won nine seats, making it one of the closest contests in the district. The BJP performed comparatively well in the town by winning four wards while one Independent candidate also emerged victorious. The party also maintained its lead in Doraha, where AAP won eight of the 15 wards. The Congress secured five seats while two Independent candidates managed to win, reflecting the influence of local candidates in the municipal elections. In Samrala, AAP won eight wards, including three wards that had been declared unopposed in favour of the party before polling. The SAD emerged as the secondlargest force in the council with four seats while the Con- gress and BJP won two and one seat, respectively. The Congress registered its most impressive performance in Raikot, where it captured 11 of the 15 wards, leaving AAP with only four seats. The result has strengthened the Congress position in the municipal council and demonstrated the party’s continuing support base in the town. In Payal, the Congress again emerged ahead with five seats, followed by AAP with three seats. SAD won two wards while one Independent candi- c m y b date also secured victory. Political observers said the results indicate that while AAP continues to enjoy significant public support across urban areas of the district, the Congress remains a strong challenger in several municipal councils. The victories of Independent candidates in five wards also showed that local issues, personal credibility and grassroots connect continue to play an important role in the civic body elections. Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 29 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) proved its mettle in the urban local bodies elections in Malerkotla district by grabbing 30 out of total 61 wards of three subdivisions of Ahmedgarh, Amargarh and Malerkotla. The Congress won 15 seats whereas the BJP and the BSP got one seat each. As many as 12 aspirants, who contested the elections as Independents, also turned victorious. District Election Officercum-Deputy Commissioner Viraj S Tidke said counting for the municipal elections was held under tight security at Ahmedgarh (17 wards), Amargarh (11) and Malerkotla (33) on Friday. Tidkey said 291 candidates had contested the elections from Malerkotla. In Malerkotla, 20 candidates launched by AAP won the elections whereas eight seats were won by the Congress. The SAD and the BJP got one seat each. Three contestants won as Independent candidates. AAP got seven seats in Ahmedgarh while the Congress finished at six with one continued on page 2 22 Congress workers detained after protest over recounting in Khanna Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 29 Twenty-two Congress workers, including Gurmeet Nagpal, husband of party candidate Kiran Bala Nagpal, were detained by the Khanna police on Tuesday after they allegedly attempted to block the Khanna-Malerkotla road while protesting outside the Municipal Council election counting centre. The protest erupted after Congress workers alleged irregularities in the counting process for Ward 9 and claimed that votes had been counted three times before the final results were declared. Raising slogans outside the counting centre, the party workers demanded an explanation from the election authorities and staged a demonstration over the delay in announcing the results. As the protest intensified, a group of Congress workers moved towards the KhannaMalerkotla road and allegedly attempted to block traffic. Police personnel deployed at the spot intervened and detained 22 protesters under SSP refutes allegations, says no recounting took place Cops stop protesting Congress workers in Ludhiana. preventive measures to maintain law and order. The controversy centered around Ward 9, where Congress candidate Kiran Bala Nagpal eventually emerged victorious. She secured 794 votes and defeated Independent candidate Mandeep Kaur, who polled 750 votes. Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Geetanjali Naran secured 615 votes and finished third. Kiran Bala won by a margin of 44 votes. continued on page 2