: The BJP has brushed off some early competition from the Congress to take a commanding lead in all six major municipal corporations in Gujarat, where votes are being counted in crucial local body elections today.
The BJP also continues to dominate other urban centres and will particularly celebrate winning the Nagar Palika or municipality in Viramgam, the home-town of 22-year-old politician
Hardik Patel, who is leading a
massive agitation for reservation for Patels.
The Congress is, however, making major gains in rural Gujarat, in the best news the opposition party has had in years in the state. Of 31 district panchayats, it is leading in 18. The BJP had won 30 last time.
These civic elections are seen as an acid test for Chief Minister
Anandiben Patel of the BJP. They are the first major elections in Gujarat since she took over as chief minister, handpicked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to replace him as he moved to Delhi after the national election last May.
In BJP-Ruled Gujarat, Congress Makes Gains In Civic Polls
