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Politics

After Bypoll Victories, BJP Sweeps Maharashtra And Gujarat Civic Polls

Modi wave?
HuffPost Staff
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Jitendra Prakash / Reuters

If bypolls and civic polls are a referendum on demonetisation, then it looks as if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gamble is paying off despite the chaos and suffering unleashed due to shoddy execution.

Tens days after Modi announced that his government was scrapping the Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes in order to curb black money and corruption, the Bharatiya Janata Party scored major victories in Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, while performing well in West Bengal and Tripura.

Three weeks into demonetisation, the BJP has swept the civic polls in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and once again its leaders are saying that these results prove that public sentiment is behind the BJP.

Out of the 126 seats being contested in the Gujarat civic polls, the BJP has won 109 seats, taking 40 seats from the Congress Party, which managed only 17 seats. In Maharashtra, BJP won 52 out of 147 municipal councils followed by the Shiv Sena (25), the Congress Party (22) and the Nationalist Congress Party (17).

In Maharashtra, the BJP seat tally went up from 396 in the 2011 civic polls to 851, the Congress Party's tally went down from 1,111 to less than 700, according to local reports.

"Opposition is observing Aakrosh Diwas and Bharat Bandh, on the other hand BJP is winning elections everywhere," BJP President Amit Shah said at a political rally in Maharganj in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP headquarters in the capital, Human Resource Development minister Prakash Javadekar said, "The results have shown mirror to those opposing the Prime Minister's demonetisation move....The result is an eye-opener for the opposition and an indication of which way the wind is blowing."

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12 Indian Cocktails To Spice Up The Winters
MUMMA NU DOUBLE DOSE(01 of12)
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This nicely potent cocktail, soon to be made available at SodaBottleOpenerWala, combines two of India's most popular winter alcohol choices -- Old Monk rum and whisky. With a dash of sticky syrup and a bright marigold crown, it can't get any more comforting than this. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Sodabottleopenerwalla)
PAAN KI DUKAAN(02 of12)
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Not that you need to justify drinking this deliciously refreshing cocktail to anyone, but in case anyone does ask, you can explain the benefits of consuming betel leaves to them. Bee tee dubs, betel leaves are popularly recommended as a cure for the dreaded common cold. The vodka is the cherry on top and if that wasn't literal enough, you can actually top off the mix with a maraschino cherry for a more festive feel. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Tabula Beach)
CURRY SCOTCH SMASH(03 of12)
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According to Anne Frey, the proprietor of Philadelphia's 1 Tippling Place, who will be hosting a special popup at the Olive Bar and Kitchen in Bandra during all of November, curry and scotch are the perfect match. What's more, the former doesn't always have to be served on a plate. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Olive Bar and Kitchen)
KHAARA MASALA SPICED WINE(04 of12)
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Who wants to drink chai when you can drink masala wine? The Gurgaon pub, Factory by Sutra has added their own desi twist to mulled wine with a couple of yummy ingredients that can easily be sourced out of your own kitchen. Serve in a kullhad for that extra desi touch. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Factory By Sutra)
CHAI MARTINI(05 of12)
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If you're looking for a hair-of-the-dog solution after a particularly heavy Diwali night, this delicious chai-based martini (courtesy: Factory by Sutra) might help stir your senses. Make sure you add plenty of crushed ice, and generous dollops of your favourite liqueur. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Factory by Sutra)
SPICED MOSCOW MULE(06 of12)
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Flush with ginger, this spicy ale by chef Kelvin Cheung's gastro-bar in Bandra, One Street Over, will add some heat and refresh you at the same time. It's perfect for those Mumbai winters which are not so wintry, and yet need some warmth. Click here for the recipe. (credit:One Street Over)
WHISKED APPLE(07 of12)
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The Little Door (in Andheri, Mumbai) combined whisky with Assam chai (spiced with lavang and elaichi) to produce this bright red potion that will outshine the brightest Diwali cracker. Click here for the recipe. (credit:The Little Door)
SNOWMAN'S COOLER(08 of12)
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This drink, according to the people at Mumbai's The Little Door, is Christmas in a glass with a desi twist of fresh pudina. Click here for the recipe. (credit:The Little Door)
DARK NIGHT(09 of12)
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The magicians at the Bottles and Barrels microbrewery in Gurgaon have actually found quite a drool-worthy way to combine beer, rum with cinnamon, ginger and cloves. It's the best way to get over a big loss at teen patti this year. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Bottles and Barrels)
RED EYE(10 of12)
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This drink by Bottles and Barrels in Gurgaon is a bit like serving chaat in a glass, and specially goes down well with those who enjoy their mirch-masala. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Bottles and Barrels)
SMOKEY ORANGE JAM(11 of12)
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Possibly the best way to enjoy a spoonful of naani's homemade marmalade. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Hungry Monkey)
BRANDY TODDY(12 of12)
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The best way to bid adieu to Diwali this year is with a goblet full of heartwarming brandy-based toddy. And we don't mean the coarse moonshine variety from Kerala, either. Try the Indigo Deli's delicious concoction that has honey, cardamom and cinnamon sticks along with several other yummy ingredients. Click here for the recipe. (credit:Indigo Deli)

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-- This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.