"Thumping Victory": Saina Nehwal On BJP's Big Show In UP Local Body Polls

Analysts say the local body polls are unlikely to be any indicator of which direction the wind will blow in the assembly election next year, seen as a primer for the general elections in 2024. Yet, the local body elections were keenly watched.

Badminton champion Saina Nehwal tweeted congratulations to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for "thumping victory" in local body elections ahead of the big state election next year. Hearty congratulations for thumping victory in Zila Panchayat Chairperson election in UP @myogiadityanath sir 🙏🙏 #ZilaPanchayatElectionUP2021 The BJP romped home with 67 seats in the zila panchayat chairperson election where 75 seats were at stake. Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party won only five seats. The Rashtriya Lok Dal, Jansatta Dal and an independent candidate won a seat each. Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party did not fight the polls. In comparison, back in the same election in 2016, Mr Yadav's party took 60 of the 75 seats. "Hearty congratulations for thumping victory in Zila Panchayat Chairperson election in UP @myogiadityanath sir," tweeted Saina, who joined the BJP in January last year ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls.