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Delay in Kapurthala Mayor Election violates democratic principles, alleges Rana Gurjit Singh
Congress MLA accuses Punjab Government of delaying the mayoral poll and alleges attempts to lure Congress councillors
Babushahi Bureau
Kapurthala (Punjab), July 1, 2026: Senior Congress leader and Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh on Wednesday criticised the Punjab Government over the delay in conducting the election for the Mayor of the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation, alleging that the prolonged wait is a violation of democratic norms.
Addressing the issue, Rana Gurjit Singh said that more than a month has passed since the municipal election results were declared, but the government has yet to initiate the process for electing the Mayor.
“More than a month has passed since the declaration of the results, but there has been no communication from the government regarding the conduct of the mayoral election. It clearly reflects how seriously the AAP government follows democratic principles,” he alleged.
The Congress MLA said he had written to the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner, requesting that directions be issued to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner to hold the mayoral election at the earliest, but claimed that no action had been taken so far.
He further alleged that the delay has not only exceeded the statutory timeline but has also affected governance and stalled key urban development works.
“The results have already been officially declared and notified. Any further delay in conducting the mayoral election not only violates the statutory timeline but also hampers crucial urban development projects and municipal administration. Residents of Kapurthala are being deprived of active civic leadership,” he said.
Referring to the municipal election results declared on May 29, Rana Gurjit Singh said the Congress secured 31 of the 50 wards, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 11 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won three seats each, and two Independents emerged victorious. He added that Independent councillor Aman Rani, a former Congress leader who contested independently after being denied a party ticket, later joined the Congress, taking the party’s tally to 32 councillors.
He also noted that the Directorate of Local Bodies, Punjab, through a notification dated June 5, 2026, had officially notified the election results and declared that the office of the Mayor of the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation would be reserved for the General Category.
Rana Gurjit Singh further alleged that local AAP leaders were attempting to persuade Congress councillors to switch allegiance by offering inducements.
“This inordinate delay undermines the integrity of the democratic mandate and creates an atmosphere vulnerable to political malpractice and horse-trading. They will not succeed because I have full faith in my team, but the government is leaving no stone unturned to weaken democratic principles,” he alleged.
The Punjab Government has not yet responded to the allegations.