Chandigarh, May 22 -- The local bodies elections in Punjab, scheduled for May 26, are a litmus test for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is attempting to expand its footprint in the state beyond its traditional urban strongholds ahead of the assembly elections due early next year.

Polling for eight municipal corporations - Abohar, Barnala, Batala, Bathinda, Kapurthala, Moga, Pathankot and Mohali - will be held on May 26, while counting of votes will take place on May 29. Besides the corporations, elections will also be conducted for 102 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across the state.

The civic elections assume significance for the BJP because the party is attempting to rebuild itself independently in Punjab after the co...