The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress mounted a strong challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab's Malwa region during the zila parishad and block samiti elections, with partial results highlighting significant gains for opposition parties in key districts. In Bathinda, a traditional SAD stronghold divided into 17 zila parishad zones, the Akali Dal secured victories in nine zones and maintained leads in five others as per evening trends. AAP managed wins in only three zones despite representing all six assembly segments in the district. These local body polls, viewed as a barometer ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, revealed underlying rural discontent with the AAP government. Counting progressed slowly in several areas, with full results pending for block samiti zones covering numerous gram panchayats. The contests underscored shifting alliances and independent candidates influencing outcomes in high-profile zones.

Muktsar district, home to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and state Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, saw AAP trailing notably. Out of 13 zila parishad zones, SAD candidates led in eight, while AAP was ahead in just three. Two AAP cabinet ministers, Gurmit Singh Khudian and Dr Baljit Kaur, hail from this area, amplifying the symbolic setback for the ruling party. Trends indicated limited traction for Congress here, placing it third in several segments. The district's results reflected SAD's efforts to reclaim influence in its former bastions amid broader revival signals across Malwa.

In the border district of Ferozepur, with 14 zila parishad zones, results for only seven were available late evening. AAP secured four wins, while SAD and SAD-backed independents claimed three, and Congress took one. Notable upsets included independent Mandeep Kaur, wife of former gangster-turned-politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, winning the prestigious Bazidpur zone by 2,645 votes against AAP. In Ferozeshah, another independent linked to Sekhon, Kuljeet Kaur, triumphed by a massive 8,760-vote margin. The district recorded a voter turnout of 56.55%, with elections also covering 112 block samiti zones, though final outcomes remained awaited.

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Mansa district's 11 zila parishad zones showed AAP leading in seven and SAD in four, indicating a closer fight than in neighbouring areas. Moga, with 15 zones, had AAP ahead in nine, Congress and AAP sharing one win each, and SAD leading in four. Faridkot trends revealed a three-way split, with SAD and Congress each leading in three zones and AAP in two, pending results from remaining segments.

These partial trends from Malwa, Punjab's politically dominant cotton belt, suggested resilience from SAD after years of decline, particularly in Badal family strongholds. AAP's statewide performance appeared stronger elsewhere, but Malwa's opposition surge highlighted challenges for the Bhagwant Mann government on local issues. Independents, often backed by regional factions, played disruptive roles in several contests. Full results across Punjab's 22 zila parishads and 153 panchayat samitis were expected to clarify broader patterns.

The elections, conducted amid allegations of irregularities from opposition parties, tested grassroots support three years into AAP's tenure. Malwa's fragmented outcomes pointed to multi-cornered battles persisting into future cycles. Voter participation varied, reflecting engagement in rural governance structures. Analysts noted SAD's targeted recovery in core areas as a key takeaway from the incomplete counts. As authorities finalised tallies, political reactions focused on interpreting these local mandates for provincial implications. The polls reinforced Malwa's reputation as a decisive electoral battleground in Punjab politics.

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