For parties like AAP and Congress, these elections were an opportunity to seal their spots in Uttar Pradesh’s politics ahead of the state assembly election in 2022.
AAP has claimed that it received huge public support and has performed much better than the Congress in the panchayat polls. On the other hand, the Congress said it has done well under the leadership of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Aam Aadmi Party
Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and AAP senior leader Sanjay Singh said his party won 83 zilla panchayat seats, around 300 village pradhan seats and 232 block development committee seats. According to Singh, around 40 lakh voters cast their votes for AAP.
In a press conference, Singh said the people of Uttar Pradesh, after being suppressed for years, had shown their faith in the Kejriwal model of governance which includes healthcare, education and free water and electricity.
Congress
The Congress said the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls have shown a mirror to the BJP which did not do very well.
Uttar Pradesh Congress’ chief Ajay Kumar Lallu told India Today that his party performed well in the panchayat polls. He said they won 270 seats and came second in another 571. He said the people of the state believe in the Priyanka Gandhi-led Congress party.
"The party raised issues like unemployment, poor law and order situation and women’s safety. That is why the people of the state have voted in our favour. We are all set for the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha polls," Lallu said.