Ahmedabad:
After a resounding win in the civic polls, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has stamped his dominance even in the rural areas. The BJP drubbed the Congress in the panchayat polls winning 22 of the 24 seats in the state.
What's significant is that about 100 Muslim candidates put up by Modi in district and taluka panchayat elections have won, as compared to just one Muslim BJP candidate winning in the civic polls.
"It's clear that even my Muslim brothers have taken part in this developmental success of the government. It is an all inclusive victory," said Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Embarrassed by the BJP's sweep, the state Congress president resigned. Nevertheless, he continued to attribute their loss to the tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
"I have resigned taking up moral responsibility, but I still believe it's not Modi's magic," said Siddarth Patel, GPCC chief.