Gandhinagar: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won a massive mandate in the Gujarat municipal elections. Of the total 68 municipalities that went to the polls, the BJP secured a clear majority in 59 municipalities. Yet, the party is likely to form the ruling body in 65 municipalities, as stated by Gujarat BJP Chief CR Patil.

The six municipalities where BJP is not in the majority but is set to form the local body with the support of independent winning candidates are Bavla, Dakor, Kheda, Anklav, Chhota Udepur, and Mangrol.

In these six municipalities, BJP already holds half of the seats in Bavla, Dakor, and Kheda. However, in Anklav, BJP has won 10 out of 24 seats; in Chhota Udepur, the party has won 8 out of 28 seats; and in Mangrol, BJP has secured victory in 15 out of 36 seats. All these civic bodies saw several independent candidates winning, who, according to the state BJP, will be supporting the party in forming the ruling body.

Meanwhile, out of 68 municipalities, the three that BJP will not be ruling are Salaya, Kutiyana, and Ranavav.

Salaya is a municipality with a population of over 96% Muslims, where BJP did not win a single seat. Whereas in Kutiyana and Ranavav, BJP suffered a loss due to the influence of local Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Kandhal Jadeja.

Yet, in conclusion, the biggest winner in these local polls is the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which has won the municipality elections with a strike rate of 95%. DeshGujarat