NDA has become preferred choice in North East: PM thanks Assam panchayat poll voters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the BJP and its allies have become the preferred choice of people in the northeast states as he thanked voters in Assam for their support to the saffron party in the recent panchayat polls.

"Over the last few years, the BJP and the NDA family have become the preferred choice of the northeast. We consider it our privilege that we have the honour of fulfilling the aspirations of the northeast and taking the region to new heights of progress," he said on online networking site Twitter.

He said the party has immense faith in the state government and its focus on good governance. "I appreciate the entire team of Assam BJP for their excellent work across the state, which has resulted in the party's wonderful performance. I am sure the 'karyakartas' will continue raising issues of public welfare and work towards Assam's growth," Modi said. 

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal thanked the people for taking part in the election in large numbers and voting for "development and good governance".

The chief minister in a press release on Friday said that the people in the Barak to Brahmaputra valleys, plains and hills of Assam spontaneously took part in the panchayat elections and results showed that the people have reposed faith on good governance of both the central and state governments. Congratulating the winners, Sonowal urged the victorious candidates to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system by delivering public services in a clean and transparent manner.

 As per the results declared so far by the State Election Commission, the Bharatiya Janata Party has won 7,769 GPM seats, Congress 5,896, BJP alliance partner AGP 1,372, AIUDF 755 and others 2,112.

For Zila Parishad Members election, BJP secured 223, Congress 139, AGP 18, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) 24 and others 12 seats.

In Anchalik Panchayat Members (APM) polls, BJP emerged victorious in 910, Congress 656, AGP 122, AIUDF 122 and others 134.

The BJP won 940 Gaon Panchayat President (GPP) seats, Congress 662, AGP 114, AIUDF 113 and others 167 seats. Altogether, 78,571 contestants participated in the hustings and 734 were elected uncontested.