Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today attributed the BJP's victory in bypolls on two seats in the state to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development policies.
Describing the saffron party's victory in the Shahdol Lok Sabha and Nepanagar Assembly seats as "unprecedented", he said Opposition Congress tried very hard to snatch the two constituencies but failed to do so, thanks to support the ruling party got from the voters.
"I consider this victory as unprecedented as Congress was confident of wresting these two seats from BJP and they tried all tricks in their armoury to achieve their goal," an elated Chouhan told reporters at the state BJP headquarters here, where party workers were also present.
"The victory shows people have full faith in Modiji's policies and therefore they have voted for his development initiatives," he said.
"I dedicate this victory to the party workers, the people of Nepanagar and Shahdol and to Modiji," Chouhan said in the presence of jubilant party workers.
Chouhan said since former Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav today passed away in Lucknow, the party has decided not to celebrate the by-poll victory in traditional manner.
Instead, the party leaders and workers will garland the statues of BJP leaders like Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Kushabhau Thakre and Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia.
State BJP President Nandkumar Singh Chouhan and Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra, among others, were present on the occasion.
The bypolls in Shahdol and Nepanagar were seen as the first electoral test for BJP after the demonetisation of high values notes announced by Modi on November 8.
Chouhan, however, made no mention about the anti-black money measure during interaction with the media post-victory.
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Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress President Arun Yadav sought to downplay his party's defeat in the bypolls and said BJP won because of its "election management".
However, he said the Opposition party has accepted its defeat and will do an introspection to ascertain the reasons.
