NEW DELHI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday won the assembly polls in the politically important northern state of Uttar Pradesh by a thumping majority.
Out of 403 seats, the BJP bagged over 300 seats. It needed just 202 seats to form the state government in Uttar Pradesh.
The mega election, held in seven rounds, was seen as a bellwether for the 2019 national election. Prime Minister Modi was the face of the BJP's campaign and the party has credited the victory to his leadership.
"This is a mandate for Modi... I could see a surge, it is becoming a tsunami," said senior Indian Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. He also praised party chief Amit Shah for working "tirelessly".
BJP President Amit Shah has hailed the victory and attributed it to Modi's development policies.
State Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, which contested the assembly polls in partnership with the main opposition Congress party, has accepted defeat.
The win in UP is seen as an endorsement of Modi's stewardship of the economy after his high-risk demonetisation decision in November last year to curb corruption and black money.
The victory will help improve the BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha or Upper House of Parliament where the government is in a minority and has trouble pushing legislation.
