Gandhinagar:

Even as BJP despite overall lead is looking slightly behind the tally of last time during the counting of votes in 74 municipalities today, it has registered convincing win in the home town of PM Narendra Modi.

Of the 28 seats of total 7 ward Vadnagar town of Mahesana district, BJP has won 27 to regain the power in the local body which has a big symbolic importance for it being the home turf of PM Modi.

Congress has got just one seat in this saffron hub.

Among the municipalities, BJP has won are Jafrabad,Vadnagar, Jasdan, Vijaynagar, Sanand, Talaja, Halvad, Bantva, Kodinar, Lathi, Kheralu, Karamsad, Songadh, Bavla, Mansa, Dwarka, Bhanvad, Kutiyana, Chalala, Gadhda,Idar, Prantij, Jamjodhpur, Dhrol, Chhaya, Bilimora, Gariyadhar, Sihor, Lathi, Vijapur, Bhachau, Vijalpor, Halol.

In an embarrassing result for the main opposition party the son and wife of former Minister of State for Railways Naran Rathwa, Sangramsinh and Manjulaben who were Congress candidates in Chhotaudepur municipality have lost the local body polls.

BJP has either won or leading in 44 municipalities while Congress which had won just around a dozen last time around was leading or won over 24. BJP last time around had won in 59 of these local bodies.

Over 64% turnout was recorded during polling on February 17.

DeshGujarat