Punjab's ruling BJP-Akali Dal alliance has scored a landslide win in municipal elections in capital Chandigarh, just ahead of crucial state assembly polls. The allies have won 21 of the 26 seats - the BJP taking 20, Akali Dal one - while the Congress has had to settle for just four. One seat has been won by an independent candidate. BJP chief Amit Shah has thanked the people of Chandigarh and said that every recent election victory of the party shows that people "approve of the demonetisation decision."
The BJP has made major gains - it held 10 seats in the outgoing house and ally Akali Dal had two. The Congress had 11 seats and Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party two.
The BJP, which launched massive celebrations in Chandigarh even as results rolled in, and the party's MP from city, Kirron Kher, said, "Demonetisation has not affected the polls, there were problems but our people are very understanding."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in November 8 banned 500 and 1,000-rupee notes, in a move aimed at eliminating corruption and black or undeclared money.
The BJP has, however, held that people support the move against corruption despite the hardships they have had to face as they recognise that it is "short-term" inconvenience for "long-term gain".
BJP Municipal Election Results: The Final Tally
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