Sangrur, June 12 -- Barnala got its first-ever mayor on Thursday following the unanimous election of Hasan Bhardwaj, a former officer on special duty (OSD) to Sangrur member of Parliament Meet Hayer, to lead the newly upgraded municipal corporation.

The election took place in the presence of finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, MP Hayer, and MLAs Labh Singh Ugoke and Kulwant Singh Pandori, solidifying the Aam Aadmi Party's control over the civic body following its decisive victory in the May 26 polls.

The AAP initially won 36 of the 50 wards, with the BJP taking seven, independents five, and the Congress two, though its strength subsequently grew to 38 after two independents joined the ruling party.

Cheema confirmed that 49 of the 50 ...