On Warring’s turf, Congress wins only 2 of 19 wards

Bathinda: In a setback for Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Congress could win only two of the total 19 wards in Gidderbaha municipal council, results of which were declared on Friday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 17 seats, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) failed to open its account. Till 2012, Gidderbaha had been a stronghold of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).After SAD, Gidderbaha turned to Congress, with Warring winning 2012, 2017 and 2022 assembly elections from the seat. After Warring's election as Ludhiana MP in 2024, AAP candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon defeated Warring's wife Amrita Warring in the assembly seat bypoll.Dhillon, who had been with SAD till 2024, credited AAP's "development approach" for the win. "People have reposed faith in it and the party has succeeded in ensuring a resounding victory," he claimed.Warring spent considerable time campaigning in Gidderbaha, but the party failed to make a mark, said a Congress functionary.Congress funtionaries also accused AAP of indulging in highhandedness to win the election by any means. They staged a protest later in the day to demand a recount of the votes. Warring said it was not a fair election. Congress would have performed much better had these been free and fair elections.MLA Hardeep Singh Dhillon refuted the allegations and said that these are vague allegations, as the election was held in a free and fair manner and no pressure was mounting on anyone.