Sending signals to his critics in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party who are demanding his ouster, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi [Images] said the people of Ahmedabad [Images] were responsible for the party's victory in the civic body poll and the loss was that of Congress President Sonia Gandhi [Images].

"The lotus blooms in mud and the more they are engaged in mud-slinging, the better the lotus bloomed... So, I thank them
also for throwing so much mud and helping us win," Modi said, in an apparent reference to both dissidents as well as other
political rivals.

"I thank the people of Ahmedabad for the way they have voted. I am grateful to them and each party worker who has toiled for this result," Modi told a huge gathering in Ahmedabad barely hours after the party defeated the Congress in the civic polls.

"This is a loss for Sonia Gandhi as her close aide camped in the city for 10 days to give directions for the polls and they have now lost direction," Modi told the cheering crowd of his supporters.

He said, "This party is not made of one person but by the sweat and toil of hundreds of party workers."

Modi, who can claim all credit for the BJP's resounding win following his fiery campaign, said this election result was a
precursor to what was going to happen in the coming district panchayat polls in Gujarat and also the Bihar assembly elections.

Flaying media reports that had indicated the BJP would lose the AMC poll in spite of his campaign, he said, "This election
should also be a message for political pundits who have a lot to learn from the manner it was conducted and the final
outcome."