BJP sweeps Abohar Municipal Corporation polls after High Court-ordered re-election; Pooja Wadhwa becomes Mayor
Babushahi Bureau
Fazilka/Abohar, July 21, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday secured all three top posts in the Abohar Municipal Corporation after a re-election ordered following court proceedings, with Pooja Wadhwa being elected Mayor.
Along with Wadhwa's election, Dharmveer Malkat was elected Senior Deputy Mayor, while Deepak Chhapola was elected Deputy Mayor, giving the BJP a clean sweep in the civic body's top leadership.
The elections were conducted peacefully at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Fazilka under tight security following directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The re-election was held after the mayoral election conducted on July 10, in which Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Ganesh Sablania was declared Mayor, became the subject of legal and political controversy.
The BJP had challenged the earlier election, alleging that despite having a clear majority in the 50-member Municipal Corporation House, its councillors were ignored and the election process was conducted in violation of established rules.
The Abohar Municipal Corporation comprises 50 councillors, including 28 from the BJP, 20 from the AAP, one Independent, and one Congress councillor. The BJP maintained that its numerical majority should have ensured victory in the earlier election as well.
Following petitions filed over the disputed election, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued directions, leading to a fresh election on Tuesday.
In the re-election, the BJP successfully demonstrated its majority and won all three key civic posts.
Celebrations broke out among BJP leaders and workers after the results were declared, with supporters distributing sweets and celebrating the victory.
Reacting to the outcome, former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar described the verdict as a victory for democracy and truth. They alleged that an earlier attempt had been made to suppress the party's majority but said justice had ultimately prevailed through the court's intervention.
The newly elected office-bearers thanked the residents of Abohar and pledged to prioritise the city's development and improve civic services.