BJP's hattrick: Mauls Cong in Bengaluru

Continuing its winning streak in civic polls across the country, the BJP on Tuesday emerged clear winner in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). It has established a clear lead in 99 of the 197 seats. The 198^th seat has already been won by the BJP unanimously.

Congress is leading in 74, Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in 14 and Independents in eight.

A total of 1,121 candidates were in the fray.

During the 2010 BBMP polls, BJP had won in 111 wards; Congress in 65 wards, JD(S) in 15 and others 17.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the BJP's winning show in the Bengaluru civic polls, saying people's faith in his party "is humbling and gladdening".

"People's continuous faith in the BJP is humbling and gladdening," Modi tweeted as results showed the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Congress in the election.

"We are fully committed to fulfilling (the) aspirations of 125 crore Indians," he said.

The prime minister said after similar civic polls wins in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Bengaluru results "complete a hat-trick of wins for the BJP".

"This is a win for politics of development and good governance.Thank you Bengaluru! My gratitude to (the) people and congratulations to Karnataka BJP leaders and workers for the great election results," he added.