BJP scores big in Gujarat urban polls

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat retained its control in the urban bodies, bagging 15 of the 27 municipalities that went to polls on Sunday.

The win in these urban areas comes for BJP about two months after it lost heavily in rural belt to Congress in local self government polls held in November last year.

According to results announced on Tuesday, BJP won 395 of 660 seats in 27 municipalities across 21 districts.

While BJP scored a clear majority in 15 municipalities, it was locked in a tie with main opposition Congress in Sutrapada municipality, the constituency of state agriculture minister Jasabhai Barad. Both BJP and Congress bagged 12 seats each.

Congress on its part won eight municipalities, while NCP, Samajwadi Party and the Independents winning one municipality each.

“Congress has not been able to even open its account in Savli, Kathlal, Thasra, Bayad, Bhabhar and Damnagar municipalities. Today’s results have proved that Congress has no place in hearts of the people and with this verdict it’s dreams of winning the state in 2017 is shattered,” BJP spokesperson I K Jadeja said in a statement.

Surprisingly, the Congress did slightly better in Saurashtra region, considered a BJP stronghold. Of the 11 municipalities in Saurashtra, the Congress bagged one, the BJP won three and tied one, and the NCP triumphant in one. The BJP has done well in Gujarat region, where it has won 12 of the 16 municipalities. Congress won two, while SP and independents got one each.