Political Leaders' Prestige at Stake in Municipal Corporation Elections 2024

The Municipal Corporation elections in Punjab for five major cities—Amritsar, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Ludhiana, and Patiala—are scheduled for December 21, 2024. These elections are crucial for political parties as they vie for control over key urban centers. The stakes are high, and the outcomes will reflect the popularity and effectiveness of each party's leadership.

Key Leaders and Parties in Action
BJP State President Sunil Kumar Jakhar, Congress State President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and AAP State President and Punjab Minister Aman Arora are leading their parties’ campaigns with vigour. The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has also announced its candidates, making the competition a multi-cornered contest.
The results will determine which party secures the maximum seats to elect mayors for the five corporations. In case of a hung corporation, independent candidates could hold significant sway, or alliances between parties may emerge to decide the mayoral position.
The Stakes in Patiala
Patiala has 60 wards, and this election is expected to witness a fierce multi-cornered contest. Key figures, including BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, his wife and former MP Parneet Kaur, and daughter Jai Inder Kaur, President of BJP Mahila Morcha, are heavily invested in ensuring their party’s success.
Historically, Patiala’s mayors have represented a range of parties:
•    Vishnu Sharma (INC) - 2002
•    Ajit Pal Kohli (SAD-B) - 2007
•    Jaspal Singh Pardhan (SAD-B) - 2012
•    Amarinder Singh Bajaj (SAD-B) - 2013
•    Sanjeev Sharma (BJP) - 2017
•    The defection of Sanjeev Sharma Mayor from Congress to BJP in 2021 adds an interesting dimensions 
The presence of Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi and AAP MLA Ajit Pal Singh Kohli further intensifies the competition.
Spotlight on Ludhiana
Ludhiana, with 95 wards, also has a rich political history. The mayors were as under:
•    Chaudhary Sat Parkash (BJP) - 1992
•    Apinder Singh Grewal (SAD-B) - 1997
•    Nahar Singh Gill (INC) - 2002
•    Hakam Singh Ghaisupura (SAD-B) - 2007
•    Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria (SAD-B) - 2012
•    Balkar Singh Sandhu (INC) - 2018
Congress leaders, including State President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, have their prestige on the line, along with other party leaders.
Dynamics in Phagwara
Phagwara’s election sees a close fight as well. BJP’s Arun Khosla, known for his association with former Union Minister Som Parkash, faces tough competition in a multi-cornered contest. Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal represents the Phagwara constituency and is also a key player.
Jalandhar’s Political Landscape
Jalandhar’s 85 wards are another battleground where leaders from BJP, Congress, and AAP are clashing. The mayors were as under:
•    Jai Kishan Saini (INC) - 1991
•    Suresh Sehgal (BJP) - 1997
•    Surinder Mahey (INC) - 2002
•    Rakesh Rathore (BJP) - 2007
•    Sunil Jyoti (BJP) - 2012
•    Jagdish Raja (INC) - 2018
This time, prominent leaders like BJP’s Manoranjan Kalia and Congress’s Charanjit Singh Channi have much at stake, with a multi-cornered contest making predictions uncertain.
Amritsar’s Intense Contest
Amritsar’s 90 wards are equally contested. The mayors were as under:
•    Om Parkash Soni (INC) - 1991
•    Subash Sharma (BJP) - 1997
•    Brij Mohan Kapur (BJP) - 2000
•    Sunil Dutti (INC) - 2002
•    Shwait Malik (BJP) - 2007
•    Bakshi Ram Arora (BJP) - 2012
•    Karamjit Singh Rintu (AAP) - 2018
The defection of Rintu from Congress to AAP in 2022 adds an interesting dimension. Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla and BJP’s Tarun Chugh are some of the leaders whose reputations are on the line.
Evolving Alliances and Voter Dynamics
Historically, BJP and SAD-B contested elections together until 2018. However, the alliance ended, and both parties are now contesting independently. Municipal elections often hinge on local issues and personal connections of candidates rather than party ideologies. Welfare schemes and development promises will be key factors influencing voters’ decisions.
The political environment in these five cities reflects a mix of ambition, strategy, and unpredictability, making the 2024 Municipal Corporation elections a significant milestone for Punjab’s political landscape.
Authored by:
Rajat Kumar Mohindru
Journalist, Jalandhar City.