The ruling Congress won seven municipal corporations in Punjab on Wednesday as the counting for the civic body polls is underway.

The outcome of the elections held against the backdrop of the farmers' agitation against the BJP-led government at the Centre has come as a boost for the Congress, which is also eyeing to win the assembly elections due early next year.

The counting of votes started at 9 am for elections to 2,302 wards of eight municipal corporations and 109 municipal councils in the state.

Here are the key highlights from the polls:

Congress wins 7 municipal corporations in Punjab

Congratulations to the people of Punjab!

This is the victory of love, over hate.This is the victory of unity, over divisiveness.This is the victory of progress & prosperity.#PunjabWithCongress pic.twitter.com/kJRh35eZzh— Congress (@INCIndia) February 17, 2021

Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar said people have rejected the negative politics of parties like the BJP, SAD and AAP.

Bathinda to get a Congress Mayor for the 1st time in 53 years.

History has been made today!Bathinda will get a Congress Mayor for the 1st time in 53 years!Thank you to ALL Bathinda residents.

Congratulations to the people of Bathinda for a spectacular victory.Kudos to all Congress candidates and workers, who toiled for this day. pic.twitter.com/Xvczq5MjfU— Manpreet Singh Badal (@MSBADAL) February 17, 2021

The Congress has won the municipal corporations of Abohar, Bathinda, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot and Moha.

A total of 9,222 candidates were in the fray, of which 2,832 were independents, 2,037 from the ruling Congress and 1,569 from the Shiromani Akali Dal.

The counting of votes for the Municipal Corporation in Mohali would take place on Thursday after repolling in two booths

Over 70 per cent voting was recorded in the civic body elections on February 14.

On the eve of ballot count, CM Amarinder Singh termed the allegations of the BJP and AAP on the rigging of civic polls as a typical case of crying foul in the face of their imminent defeat in the election

(Edited by : Aditi Gautam)

First Published:Feb 17, 2021 2:59 PM IST