BJP sweeps MP civic body polls; elated PM Modi, CM Chouhan thank voters

Bhopal, Aug 16: Vyapam scam controversy today failed to dent BJP's popularity in Madhya Pradesh where the state's ruling party clinched eight out of 10 civic bodies, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to thank the voters.

"MP Civic poll results are gladdening. I thank people of MP for reposing their trust in BJP. I salute efforts of karyakartas (workers) and party leaders," Modi tweeted.

MP civic poll results are gladdening. I thank people of MP for reposing their trust in BJP. I salute efforts of Karyakartas & party leaders.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2015

"Thank you very much for your continued support and faith. MP will continue to work under your dynamic leadership," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has been facing demands for his resignation over the scandal, tweeted.

Thank you very much for your continued support and faith. MP will continue to work under your dynamic leadership. https://t.co/iJykX6GRRf

— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 16, 2015

The elections were held on August 12.

"State is moving rapidly on the path of development. It has no place for negative politics. The sooner opposition realises it, the better," Chouhan said in another tweet.

BJP registered victories in Morena, Ujjain, Harda, Chakghat in Rewa district, Bhainsdehi in Betul district, Kotar in Satna, Suwasara in Mandsaur and Vidisha municipal bodies.

A Congress and an Independent candidate were elected as President of municipalities in Sarangpur in Rajgarh district and Guhwara in Chhattarpur district respectively.

BJP had swept the civic polls in the state held earlier this year. Elections in the aforementioned 10 municipal bodies could not be held then due to various reasons.

PTI