New Delhi: The BJP secured a thumping win in the Assam municipal board elections on Wednesday, cornering 73 civic bodies out of the total 80, according to Assam State Election Commission (ASEC).
The Congress, the principal opposition party in the state, failed to win a single civic body. There was no clear verdict in five municipal boards, PTI reported.
In Mariani municipal board, independent candidates won seven of the 10 wards while the remaining three were bagged by the BJP.
The state election commission said 672 wards were bagged by the BJP, while 71 were won by the Congress. Others have won in 149 wards. Fifty seven wards were won uncontested.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the victory showed people's faith in BJP's development agenda.
"Gratitude to the people of Assam for blessing BJP and our allies in the recently concluded municipal elections. This shows their faith in our Party’s development agenda. I applaud our hardworking Karyakartas for their efforts and service among people," PM Modi tweeted.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the massive mandate was for growth and development, and would inspire the party to pursue the agenda of progress with renewed vigour.
"I congratulate all @BJP4Assam karyakartas and leaders who worked tirelessly spreading the development ideals of Adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi ji," Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.
"I bow my head in gratitude to the people of Assam for the thumping victory of candidates from @BJP4Assam & its allies in the municipal elections," he further said.
Reacting to the poll results, Congress state chief Bhupen Kumar Borah said rise and fall in politics were a continuous process and every party passes through both good and bad times.
"We have to work hard for good times and have to wait patiently for the opportunity. I accept the responsibility of the municipal board results," he said in a tweet.
The polling to 80 municipal boards across the state was held on March 6 through electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the first time in the history of civic elections in Assam. About 70 per cent voter turnout was registered.
(With PTI inputs)