Demonetization effect? After Maharashtra, BJP dominates in Gujarat municipal elections

 In a shot in the arm for BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetization move and ahead of Gujarat elections next year, the party swept local bodies elections by capturing 107 seats out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani hailed the victory as people's endorsement of Modi's two recent steps - surgical strikes across the LoC and demonetization.
The party won in two municipalities and one taluka panchayat along with majority seats of various other local bodies on which voting was held on Sunday. The result were declared today.
BJP captured 107 out of total 123 seats which went for polls in different parts of the state. 

Putting a dismal performance ahead of the Assembly polls due next year, the Congress managed to capture only 16 seats in this election. As per the final result declared by the Gujarat State Election Commission, BJP has registered victory in Vapi municipality of Valsad district by capturing 41 out of total 44 seats. Only three seats went to Congress. Vapi municipality was earlier held by BJP.

Similarly, BJP made a near clean sweep in the polls to Kanakpur-Kansad municipality of Surat, where it captured 27 out of 28 seats, leaving only one to Congress. It was also held by BJP earlier. In Rajkot, BJP snatched Gondal taluka panchayat, which went for mid-term poll, from Congress by winning 18 out of total 22 seats. Congress settled for only four. Earlier, Congress was ruling Gondal taluka panchayat. The results of the local bodies elections assume significance for the BJP in the run up to the state polls next year, and that they were held just after the demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by the Centre.
Apart from these three elections, Gujarat SEC conducted by-elections on 29 seats of various municipalities, taluka panchayats and district panchayats across the state.
The bypolls were necessitated as these seats fell vacant due to various reasons.

Out of total 16 seats of different municipalities, BJP bagged 14 while Congress has to settle for only two. Out of the total four seats of district panchayats, both the parties bagged two each. In the taluka panchayat by-polls, BJP won on five out of total nine while Congress captured four seats.

Congratulating the state party unit, Prime Minister Modi also thanked the people of Gujarat for showing faith in the party. ‘Congratulations to @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas, CM @vijayrupanibjp & @jitu_vaghani for their hardwork work across the state. Over the last few days we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, Assembly & local polls across India. Be it the Northeast, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat...BJP has performed very well. I thank the people,’ he said in a series of tweets.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani hailed the victory as people's endorsement to Modi's two recent steps - surgical strikes across the LoC and demonetization. "This is truly a grand success of BJP, as elections took place in different parts of state representing people from different communities. Thus, we can say that every section of society accepted BJP," said Rupani. 

"BJP's victory in Gujarat can be seen as people's endorsement to Modi's two recent steps - surgical strike across LoC and the demonetization move to wipe out black money from the system," he said.
BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that this is a vote for demonetization decision of the BJP and negative approach of the Congress to oppose the anti-black money move.
Gujarat Congress conceded its defeat and vowed to work hard for the people. The opposition party also downplayed BJP's victory, claiming that people's mood can't be judged from such local body polls.

"We accept our defeat. But, BJP must not forget that it was only bypoll on some seats. Results of these polls cannot be taken as the litmus test of people's mood. We will introspect on these results. We will continue to raise issues concerning people," Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that the verdict of the local polls in Maharashtra is a clear indication of the fact that the nation would not tolerate those opposing the government’s demonetization drive.
BJP leader S. Prakash highlighted the government’s commitment towards eradicating the black money menace.
‘One last opportunity has been given to all defaulters... The government’s commitment towards eradicating black money is very strong and they are taking every step to get rid of the black money menace,’ Prakash told ANI.
The BJP has followed up its success in the Maharashtra civic elections with a sweep of by-elections to local bodies in Gujarat.

In Maharashtra, the BJP made big gains in the first phase of key civic elections winning 851 of 3,705 seats across 147 municipal councils and 17 panchayats.  In tune with the same, the BJP today won 109 of 126 municipal and district panchayat seats in 16 districts of Gujarat to which by-elections were held.
Meanwhile, Prakash also lashed out at the Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their outburst against the Centre post demonetization.
‘The Congress is hell-bent upon derailing economic reforms in India, they want status quo, they do not want to change anything, they are not fighting for the poor and middle class. They are fighting for the capitalists and they are fighting to save their black money,’ Prakash said.
‘They should take a lesion from this. The people are with the scheme, but the opposition is against the scheme and this is not good for these parties,’ he added.

Continuing his tirade against the TMC supremo, Prakash said that she is not authorized to appoint the Prime Minister but the decision rests with the people of India.
‘Mamata runs only 100 to 200 constituencies in West Bengal. She does not rule this country, she does not command any support in pan India’ Even during the parliament elections, many had claimed if Narendra Modi wins I will go out of India, I will quit politics but so for none of them kept of their promise,’ he added in a sarcastic tone.