ROTHAK, May 14 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to strengthened its dominance in Haryana's urban politics by registering impressive victories in the civic polls of Sonepat, Rewari, Dharuhera and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda's strong hold of Sampla.

In Sampla, BJP candidate Praveen claimed the chairman's post by 687 votes, defeating Independent candidate Ankit. Though the Congress opted not to field an official candidate, the result serves as a direct setback to Hooda's local influence, particularly after he urged voters to consolidate behind any candidate capable of defeating the BJP.

The Sampla victory, bolstered by high-profile campaigning from chief minister Nayab Singh Saini and other senior BJP leaders, has pr...