New Delhi: Assembly election result trends have shown a saffron surge in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as Congress makes a comeback in Punjab. Goa and Manipur look too close to call.
Here’s what some leaders from different political parties are saying about the election results so far:
Rahul Gandhi, vice president, Congress: “I thank everyone in Punjab for their immense faith and support. This is a mandate for a brighter future for Punjab and it’s youth,” Gandhi said in a series of tweets. “I congratulate Shri. Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand”
Akhilesh Yadav, outgoing CM, Uttar Pradesh: “We accept the verdict of the people…I am happy about our alliance with Congress and it shall continue,” he said in a press conference. “May be people did not like expressway, may be they want bullet train.”
Amit Shah, BJP president: “This is a victory of corruption-free and pro-poor governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shah said in a tweet. He termed his party’s victory in Uttarakhand “unprecedented”.
Omar Abdullah, former CM J&K: “Better to face up to reality today & do something about it than bury our collective heads in the sand. A spade is a spade is a spade,” he said in a series of tweets.
“Punjab, Goa & Manipur would certainly suggest that the BJP isn’t unbeatable but strategy needs to shift from criticism to positive alternate.”
“Criticising the PM will only take us so far. The voter needs to know there is an option available to them that has a clear +ve road map.”
Captain Amarinder Singh, Congress leader in Punjab: Addressing a press conference, Singh termed Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, a “summer storm” and said drugs will be the first thing that his party government will act against.
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM: “We accept the verdict of the people... The fight will continue,” he said on his party’s poor show in Goa and Punjab.
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM: “Congratulations to winners in different States. Congratulations to the voters for making their choice. To the losers, don’t lose heart,” she tweeted.
Lalu Prasad, national president, Rashtriya Janata Dal: “BJP did not allow you to enter UP...that’s why they got the benefit,” Prasad said in reply to BJP leader Sushil Modi who asked him on the microblogging site: “How are you?”
