As the counting in the four states – Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – continue and Mizo National Front (MNF) is set return to power in Mizoram after 10 years, political reactions have started pouring in on Tuesday, 11 December, acknowledging the people’s mandate.
The Congress is leading in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while in Telangana, K Chandrashekar Rao led Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is set to form the government. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh looks to be heading for a photo-finish as the Congress and BJP fight neck-and-neck.
The Assembly elections have been widely touted as the semi-final before the general elections in 2019.
Here’s what leaders from various parties said ahead of the final mandate of the poll results:
We Accept People’s Mandate With Humility: PM Modi
Congratulating Congress after the party secured majority in the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh State Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a series of tweets said: “I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states.”
“The BJP governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people,” Modi added.
Modi also acknowledged the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the other two states of Mizoram where Mizo National Front (MNF) is set return to power, and Telangana which will be under the leadership of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for a second consecutive term.
“The family of BJP karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hard work. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life.”
PM Modi Taught Me the Lesson of What Not to Do: Rahul Gandhi
Addressing a press conference after the Congress party came out leading in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, “Narendra Modi taught me the lesson – what not to do."
“PM Modi was handed a huge opportunity. It is a sad thing that he refused to listen to the heartbeat of the country. The arrogance came in.”Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
He further expressed willingness to work with the Opposition in areas that require attention, such as farmer welfare and unemployment.
He also promised to give “a vision” to the states Congress is leading in, and said about the results:
“It’s a win for farmers, youth, unemployed.”Rahul Gandhi, Congress President
'Results Unexpected, Opportunity to Pause & Analyse', Says Jaitley
Reacting to the poll results, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said:
“I think result was certainly not as expected and it's an opportunity to pause and analyse the results. In both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh we were in power for 15 years and we have done well. I don't think there was anti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in.”
Meanwhile, BJP supremo Amit Shah in a tweet addressed to KCR in Telangana said “Congratulations to Shri K Chandrashekar Rao ji and TRS for the impressive victory in Telangana Assembly elections.”
BJP is Nowhere, Victory of Democracy: Mamata Banerjee
Reacting to the early afternoon trends on Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said "this is people’s verdict and victory of the people of this country,” as the “BJP is nowhere in all the states."
In a series of tweets, the All India Trinamool Congress supremo further added:
“Victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people, farmers, youth, Dalits, Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and general caste.”Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal
Congratulating ‘winners’ in the five states, Banerjee in another tweet added:
“BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners.”Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal
Vasundhara Raje Resigns as CM, Congratulates Congress
Rajasthan ongoing Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday handed over her resignation to Governor Kalyan Singh.
While speaking to reporters, she said, “I would like to congratulate Congress. I accept this mandate by the people. BJP has worked a lot for them in these 5 years, I hope the next party takes those policies and works forward.”
Assembly Polls Results Show People Have Made Nation "Arrogance Free": Gowda
Terming the "Congress Mukt Bharat" slogan of the BJP from the General Polls 2014 as "arrogance," former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, said the people have made the nation "arrogance-free" through their verdict in the assembly elections in five states.
"The intentions of making India 'Congress-free,' 'opposition-free' shows the arrogance of BJP.
The people have made this nation 'arrogance-free' by voting out BJP," Gowda said in a tweet.
"At least now, the BJP should put some efforts to make this nation 'problem-free' and stop the unwanted 'travel-spree', he said in another tweet.
Reacting to the poll results, Gowda's son and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the elections in the five states and its results were an indication of the outcome in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Claiming that the election results showed that the mood of the nation was towards secular forces, he said, it was a "snub" to those who wanted to suppress opposition voices, with a plan to bring a single party rule across the country.
Poll Outcome Shows BJP ‘Losing Influence’, Says Rajinikanth
Tamil superstar Rajinikanth said the BJP losing elections in the Hindi heartland states of Chattisgarh and Rajasthan and a close contest with arch rival Congress in Madhya Pradesh showed it has "lost its influence."
Reacting to BJP's loss, Makkal Needhi Maiam Chief Kamal Haasan in a tweet said, "First sign of a new start. This is people's verdict."
Speaking to reporters at the airport here, Rajinikanth said, "It clearly shows that BJP has lost its influence." The electoral reverses for the saffron party were also a "setback" for it, he added.
Asked about his earlier assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to be a 'strong' man and the BJP still losing despite the former's campaign in these states, the 67-year-old actor said, "it (the losses) is certainly a big setback for the BJP."
"There is no doubt about that," he added.
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