Chennai: Though the BJP was not successful in securing a majority in any corporation or municipality, it secured a decent number of seats in the just concluded urban local body elections in Tamilnadu, considerably raising its vote share in the State.

The BJP which fought the polls alone, won 22 seats in municipal corporations, 56 in municipalities and 230 in town panchayats. Thus, the national party which had little presence in Tamilnadu so far outperformed many regional parties.

Following this, the BJP today reminded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of his recent Parliament speech that BJP can never rule over Tamilnadu and hoped that the civic body results should have ‘disabused him of such notions’.

‘Just a few days back Rahul Gandhi held out a prophecy in Parliament that the BJP will never rule Tamilnadu. I hope ULB elections have disabused him of such notions. BJP is now the 3rd largest party after DMK and AIADMK, ahead of the Congress. BJP won in areas it hadn’t won ever!’ BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted.

The BJP’s vigorous campaign was unmistakable despite being targeted by a host of parties and outfits including the ruling DMK on many issues including the NEET. The BJP’s victory also covers many regions of the State and it is scattered all across Tamilnadu. Many including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have praised BJP State president K Annamalai for the party’s good show in Tamilnadu civic polls.