Punjab Civic Body Elections 2026 LIVE: Congress Candidate Jagdev Jagga Injured in Raikot Attack Amid Heavy Voting

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Punjab’s civic body elections on Tuesday turned into a high-voltage political contest as voting began across the state amid tight security, long queues, and reports of clashes in several areas. Seen as a major political test before the 2027 Assembly elections, the polls witnessed enthusiastic participation from voters despite the scorching summer heat.

One of the biggest incidents of the day was reported from Raikot in Ludhiana district, where Congress candidate Jagdev Singh Jagga was allegedly attacked before polling started. According to local reports, Jagga had objected to the alleged distribution of clothes and shoes by supporters of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party late Monday night. On Tuesday morning, while heading towards his polling booth, he was reportedly assaulted by a group of armed men carrying kirpans.

Jagga suffered injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Ludhiana for treatment. District officials confirmed the incident and said police had been asked to take strict action against those responsible.

Across Punjab, voters started arriving at polling booths early in the morning. In many towns, people were seen standing in long queues even before polling officially began at 8 am. Elderly voters, women, and first-time voters participated enthusiastically, with several emotional scenes emerging from polling stations.

In Majitha, a 100-year-old man reached the polling booth to cast his vote, while in Ahmedgarh, an elderly woman arrived at the polling station on a makeshift wheel seat with the help of her son. Images of specially-abled and senior citizen voters also surfaced from Bathinda and other districts, reflecting strong public participation in the elections.

However, voters in several places complained about poor arrangements at polling booths. In Fazilka, people said there was a lack of drinking water, seating facilities, wheelchairs, and tents despite the extreme heat. Many voters had to wait under direct sunlight for long periods.

Mohali witnessed brisk voting during the first few hours, with heavy turnout reported across urban local bodies. Around 4.8 lakh voters are expected to decide the fate of nearly 700 candidates in the district. Senior AAP leader and MLA Kulwant Singh cast his vote along with his son, who is contesting the elections from Ward Number 42.

Tension was also reported from Patran, where AAP and Congress workers allegedly came face-to-face at two different locations. Police teams intervened quickly to control the situation before it escalated further.

In Fatehgarh Sahib, a Congress candidate alleged that supporters of an AAP rival had taken control of his polling booth. In a video message, the candidate threatened to commit suicide if authorities failed to ensure fair voting.

To maintain law and order, the State Election Commission deployed nearly 32,000 police personnel and around 35,000 election staff across Punjab. Officials said hundreds of polling booths had been marked sensitive and hyper-sensitive to prevent violence or booth capturing.

The elections are being held for eight municipal corporations, including Mohali, Bathinda, Pathankot, Moga, and Abohar, along with dozens of municipal councils and nagar panchayats. More than 35 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in these civic polls.

The political atmosphere in the state had already heated up after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made bold predictions about the 2027 Assembly elections. Mann claimed that the BJP would struggle in Punjab while Congress could gain seats in certain regions, sparking fresh political debate ahead of the civic battle.

With reports of violence, allegations between rival parties, and a strong voter turnout, Punjab’s civic elections have become more than just local body polls. Political observers believe the results will offer an important glimpse into the mood of voters ahead of the next Assembly elections in the state.