Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's policies for the party's "historic victory" in the zila panchayat chief polls on Saturday.
"The glorious victory of BJP in the UP zila panchayat elections is the blessings given by the people for development, public service and rule of law," Modi said. "The credit for this goes to the policies of Chief Minister Yogi ji and the tireless work of the party workers. Hearty congratulations to the UP government and the organization," he added.
Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, said the party's victory was a result of PM Modi's welfare policies. He congratulated the winners and added that this victory will give more strength to the Panchayati Raj system of India.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates won 67 of 75 seats of the Uttar Pradesh zila panchayat chief, the voting for which was held on Saturday, reported news agency ANI. Samajwadi Party won five seats, Lok Dal and Jansatta Dal won one seat each. An independent candidate bagged one seat, it added.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has charged the ruling BJP with making a mockery of the elections to the posts of district panchayat chief, alleging that it "kidnapped" voters and used "force" to prevent them from voting.
"To convert its defeat into victory, the BJP got the voters kidnapped, used force with the help of police and administration to stop them from voting," the SP chief alleged in a party release. The BJP made a mockery of all democratic norms, something not seen earlier, he alleged.