The victory of large number of Independents in the election of three-tier Panchayati Raj bodies have given a boost to the prospects of the Congress in the elections of the district Panchayat presidents and block Pramukhs.

Barring few seats of district Panchayat members, the Congress party had not made any formal announcement of candidates.

The ruling BJP on the other hand had formally declared its official candidates for all the seats of district Panchayats.

The results show that large numbers of official BJP candidates have bitten dust at the hustings. The victory of Independents in big numbers on the posts of district Panchayat members, many of whom are from Congress background creates a positive situation for the Congress party.

The party is now hoping that it would be able to

make district Panchayat presidents in some districts if it pulls up its socks.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the state unit of the Congress party, Garima Dassauni said the party has performed spectacularly well in the Panchayat elections.

“Our candidates and the people with Congress ideology have emerged victorious on many seats. It is very good sign for the party. Meanwhile we are compiling and assessing the results,’’ she said.

In the Panchayat elections of 2014, the Congress party was able to get its members elected on maximum number of positions of district Panchayat Presidents.

At that time the Congress was in power in the state and that helped it in victories on the most positions.

This time the pressure is on the ruling BJP to reverse the trend of 2014 and ensure that its candidates are elected on coveted posts of district Panchayat presidents.

Minister of State for Higher Education and Cooperatives, Dhan Singh Rawar had claimed on Monday itself that that the party would be able to make its Chairman in all 12 districts.