Northeast Election 2018: BJP leader dies during poll victory celebration in UP

A district-level BJP leader in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh died of cardiac arrest while preparing to celebrate the party's impressive performance in the assembly polls in three northeastern states, a leader said.

Budhana Singh, 54, was the vice president of the district unit of the BJP. He died at the party office on Saturday evening while preparing to celebrate after the election results for Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya were declared, BJP district president Rupendra Saini said.

Saini said Budhana was rushed to an area hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

He was cremated at his native village in the district today.

The BJP are celebrating 'Vijay Diwas' today for their powerful victory in the just concluded northeast assembly elections. 

BJP ousted the Left after a 25-year rule, by winning 35 of the 60 seats in Tripura. In all, with the tally of its partner IPFT, the saffron surge was responsible for an incredible 43 seats.

The BJP and NDPP alliance is going to form the next government in Nagaland, under the leadership of Neiphiu Rio. 

In Meghalaya, the ruling Congress managed to win 21 seats, well short of a majority, leading to hectic parleys with smaller parties. Here also, the BJP is confident of putting together a post-poll alliance to claim power. 

All three states have 60-member assemblies but polling was held for 59 seats each due to various reasons.

The ruling NPF, which emerged as the single largest party, extended invitation to the BJP join the new dispensation, though the BJP-NDPP combine may be able to form a government with help from smaller parties like NPP, JD(U) and an independent.

Following the announcement of results of polls in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Saturday addressed the party workers at the BJP's newly constructed headquarters in New Delhi and thanked them for their support and hard work in achieving the victory.

"It is a journey from no one to number won, from 'shoonya to shikhar' (zero to top)," a jubilant PM Modi said.

PM Modi also took an apparent dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying some people grow in designation but shrink in stature. In contrast, he said, BJP chief Amit Shah rose by leading the party to victories in many states.

(With PTI inputs)