Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Thursday, 17 July 2025, accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of brazenly subverting the democratic mandate during the election of the President of the Qadian Municipal Council. Bajwa alleged that Congress councillors were kidnapped and illegally detained to prevent them from casting their votes, despite a Punjab and Haryana High Court observer being present to ensure a free and fair process.

Congress Claims It Had the Numbers

According to Bajwa, the Indian National Congress (Congress) held a clear numerical advantage heading into the election. He said the party had the support of seven municipal wards — Ward 1 (Gurbachan Singh), Ward 2 (Debo), Ward 3 (Sukhpreet Singh), Ward 4 (Harpal Kaur), Ward 7 (Narinder Kumar), Ward 9 (Jatinder Kumar), and Ward 11 (Rajesh Kumar).

Combined with Bajwa's own vote as the local MLA, the Congress reportedly commanded eight of the 15 council members — a majority sufficient to elect the Municipal Council President. He added that assurances of support had also been received from additional councillors beyond this count.

Alleged Kidnapping and Illegal Detention

Bajwa alleged that as Congress councillors were entering the Municipal Council premises to cast their votes, Joginder Kumar and Narinder Kumar were allegedly kidnapped by what he described as 'AAP-backed goons', while the district police reportedly stood by as mute spectators.

He further alleged that a third councillor, Rajesh Kumar, was illegally detained by the district administration — a move he said directly violated the Punjab and Haryana High Court's explicit directions that no municipal councillor should be arrested or detained in a manner that would prevent participation in the electoral process. According to Bajwa, Rajesh Kumar was released only after securing bail.

What Bajwa Said

'Earlier this morning, I had shared this position live with the people of Qadian. The Congress was comfortably placed to elect the President of the Municipal Council through a fair democratic process. However, the AAP government knew it did not have the numbers and therefore chose to murder democracy in broad daylight,' Bajwa told reporters in Qadian.

He called the episode a 'constitutional disgrace', adding: 'A government that cannot win through ballots has resorted to force, intimidation and abuse of the police machinery. This is not merely an attack on the Congress but an assault on the Constitution, the rule of law and the democratic rights of the people of Punjab.'

Congress Demands Inquiry and Action

Bajwa demanded immediate action against the police officials responsible for allegedly violating the High Court's directions. He also sought a thorough and impartial inquiry into the alleged kidnapping, illegal detention, and interference in the electoral process.

This comes amid a broader pattern of friction between the AAP government and opposition parties in Punjab over local body governance. The Qadian Municipal Council episode is likely to escalate political tensions in the state ahead of future electoral contests. The AAP government is yet to formally respond to the allegations.