Indian ruling party wins election in Modi’s home state

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI, India

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday won a crucial assembly election in western Indian state of Gujarat, home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taking a sixth consecutive term in the state, the BJP won 99 seats of 182, while opposition Congress won 77 seats.

BJP has been ruling the state for the last 22 years. Previously, Modi has served the state three times as chief minister.

The elections for 182-seat assembly in Gujarat were held on December 9 and 14, after hectic campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

During the election campaign, the Congress party focused on the unpopular Goods and Services Tax introduced in July and had called on traders to punish the BJP.

Meanwhile, the BJP has also won assembly election in northern state of Himachal Pradesh, winning 44 of 68 seats. Congress managed to bag 21 seats.

Conceding defeat, Congress president Rahul Gandhi congratulated the new governments in both states.

“The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me,” said Rahul Gandhi in a tweet.

After winning both the states, Modi thanked the voters and assured economic development.

“I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly,” Modi tweeted.