December 18, 2017
December 18, 2017
The BJP today showed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, it has mastered the art of beating anti-incumbency. The BJP registered sixth consecutive win in Gujarat Assembly election today dashing Congress' hope of returning to power in the state after 22 years.
As per the latest trends, the BJP has either won or is leading on 99 Assembly seats in Gujarat. The Congress has improved its performance over 2012 bettering its tally from 61 to 80. The NCP emerged victorious on one seat, while the Bhartiya Tribal Party won two seats. An independent also won, while two others were leading.
The BJP has so far got 49.1 per cent of total votes poll, a slight increase from 48 per cent it had in 2012. The Congress had last time got 39 per cent vote share, which has increased to 41.4 per cent in 2017.
HOW BJP REACTED TO VICTORY
Reacting to the favorable election results, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly."
The results proved that there is a strong support for "politics of good governance and development", Modi said. "I salute the hardworking BJP karyakartas (workers) in these states for their hard work which has led to these impressive victories," he added.
The political battle in Gujarat and Himachal has moved beyond parties. With many popular politicians shifting their loyalties at the last moment before the polls – the results of the two state elections has become more of a personal battle between top politicians of India.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, BJP chief Amit Shah asserted that the poll outcome in favour of the BJP is a victory of performance and development against political dynasty.
Asked if there was a close fight with the Congress in Gujarat, he said having a eight percent victory margin over the rival cannot be taken as 'kante ki takkar' (close fight).
He attributed the party's victory in Gujarat to PM Narendra Modi's popularity and public welfare works carried by the Centre and the state government.
HOW OPPOSITION RESPONDED
Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that the party accepted the people's verdict in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. He thanked his party workers for fighting "anger with dignity" in the polls.
"The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me," Gandhi tweeted.
Patidar leader Hardik Patel alleged the saffron party played an "unfair game" by "tampering" with EVMs and using "money power".
Courtesy/Source: India Today
