India, Feb. 6 -- Within minutes of being sworn in as a first-time councillor, 26-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Padamjeet Singh Mehta was elected mayor of Bathinda on Wednesday afternoon. This marks the first time the AAP has secured the top civic seat in Bathinda, the largest urban local body in South Malwa.

In the 50-member House, Mehta secured 33 votes, defeating Congress candidate Baljinder Singh Thekedar, who received 15 votes. Three councillors remained absent. The voting was done by show of hands. The election was supervised by Faridkot divisional commissioner Manjit Singh Brar.

Mehta, who won a bypoll in December last year, was the only councillor elected on an AAP ticket. His victory was made possible through support fro...