Overjoyed with the results in civic polls across Maharashtra including the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said BJP's "huge victory" was achieved on the agenda of transparency.
In the BMC polls, results of which were declared today, although the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party, winning 84 seats, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has made huge gains with bagging 82 seats.
The party had won 31 seats in 227 members' corporation in the last elections, which it contested in partnership with the Shiv Sena.
A jubilant Fadnavis, who spearheaded BJP's poll campaign, said the party's core committee will decide the future course of action in the BMC.
"All decisions for the party are taken by its core committee. Whether or not to go for an alliance will be decided when I, (Maharashtra BJP President) Raosaheb Danve, (Mumbai BJP chief) Ashish Shelar sit and look at the prevailing situation," Fadnavis told reporters here.
As the Shiv Sena snapped its 25-year alliance, the elections had become a battle of prestige for Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Fadnavis.
Although short of majority, the BJP is hopeful that it will rule the BMC with the support of independents.
"The figures show that we are gaining in the BMC..We may rule (the civic body). Some independents have extended support to us. Once the figures are finalised, we will be able to give a better picture of the BJP's position," Maharashtra BJP president Raosaheb Danve said.
Danve said they had all along known BJP would emerge as the single largest party.
"We had all along known that the BJP will emerge as the single largest party. It was (PM Narendra) Modi ji and (BJP National President) Amit Shah ji's dream that BJP should be from government from panchayat to Parliament. This dream has been brought true by Maharashtra BJP workers," he said.
Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said apart from 81 seats it has won, the party has support of at least four other corporators.
Fadnavis said the results are an ample indication that people have accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's note ban move and the state government's transparency plank. "Our politics consists of trust and transparency. This result is a reflection that people have accepted our style of governance. No other party in the last 25 years has got such a wonderful result," he said.
"In BMC, we have got an amazing response. Our agenda of transparency and accountability been accepted by people," he said.
Fadnavis said the results of BMC and other municipal corporations has made the BJP more humble and that instead of indulging in mere talk, they would concentrate on good governance.
"This is a victory of demonetisation. The move was to end corruption and weed out black money. The results have proven people have faith in Modi ji's governance," he said.
"This result is only due to the work done by Modi ji at the Centre and Fadnavis here," he added.
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya sought to know if the Congress will provide outside support to the Sena to help them stake claim to power in the BMC.
The BJP is also set to gain control of at least six civic bodies -- Pune, Nashik, Ulhasnagar, Akola, Nagpur and Amravati -- out of the 10 corporations for which the elections were held on Tuesday. The party is also doing well in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, as per the latest trends.
The BJP also appeared to have expanded its base in Pimpri Chinchwad, despite fierce competition from the NCP.
Nagpur is the home town of Chief Minister Fadnavis.
