Mohali, May 30 -- On the counting day for the Mohali municipal committee elections, Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) yellow flags were out in full force outside counting centres. Workers were singing victory slogans as the broom party swept ward after ward.

What had begun as an anxious morning-supporters pacing in scorching heat, garlands ready in hand-ended in running feet and tears of joy. The heat was relentless on Friday. Kids played in parks near the counting centres while their parents sweated out the wait, sunglasses on and phones glued to the results.

Traffic around the venues refused to move. When leads came in, so did the bouquets. Some garlands were so large they needed six or seven people to carry them.

Different wards had their own...