In Modi’s Gujarat, Congress sweeps civic polls in rural areas,

Out of power for 20 years, the Congress on Wednesday made a stunning comeback in the rural areas ofGujarat by winning 21 of the 31 district panchayats, while the ruling BJP retained its hold over the urban pockets, clinching all six municipal corporations and 40 of the 56 municipalities.

After its battering in Bihar, the loss in rural local bodies in Gujarat comes more than a year after Narendra Modi, who ruled the state for 12 straight years, shifted to Delhi last year.

Of the 31 district panchayats, the Congress won 21 and BJP six, while in four others, no party emerged a clear winner as the many independents and other candidates emerged victorious. The BJP had won 30 district panchayats in the last elections in 2010.

In 230 taluka panchayats having 4778 seats, the Congress won 2509, while the BJP bagged 1981.

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