The Congress on Saturday accepted defeat in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly elections and said the party will "introspect" on the reasons for its loss. But it hit out at the BJP for declaring it would form the government in Goa and Manipur, and wondered if the party was "planning to hatch one more conspiracy like in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh".
Even though it congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah for the victories in the two states, the Congress hit out at the two leaders saying that the results in Punjab, Goa and Manipur were a "lesson to those who never tired of repeatedly harping on Congress-mukt Bharat".
The Congress said it hoped the BJP will shift from its narrative of 'shamshan-kabristan' (cremation ground and graveyard) and instead talk of development.
"The Congress is indebted and humbled by the shining victory in Punjab as also near-majority in Goa and Manipur. We are confident of forming the government in all the three states. The Congress has also won the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat by a decisive margin of nearly two lakh votes," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.
"On behalf of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress leadership, we thank the voters and party workers of Punjab, Goa and Manipur for electing the Congress and reposing faith in its ideals and policies," he added.
Talking about the results in Punjab, Goa and Manipur, Surjewala said: "People have proved that there is a yawning gap between truth and empty rhetoric. The Congress lives in the hearts and minds of people of India and victory in the three states has proved it."
He said the party hoped much needed and promised relief will be provided to farmers by waiving off loans, cost plus 50 per cent profit as minimum support price for crops, jobs for the youth and ushering in a new era of industrialisation.
The Congress said it recognises its historical and future responsibility in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
"We stand committed to rebuilding the party organisation and win the fight for people's hearts and minds. We also thank all the workers and leaders of Congress and Samajwadi Party in UP as also Congress workers in Uttarakhand for carrying forward the election campaign in a spirited fashion and with a rare zeal and dedication," he added.
On the question raised by Mayawati about EVMs being managed by BJP, Congress said: "It is a matter to be addressed by the Election Commission in order to erase all doubts about the integrity, honesty and impartiality of the electoral process.
"We are certain that Election Commission of India will look at any of objections and clarify any doubt in public domain as raised by MayawatiJi," said Surjewala.
On the question of the statement by Amit Shah that BJP will form the government in Goa and Manipur, Surjewala said: "It is a question that he should answer to people of both the states of Goa and Manipur, the numbers have given a mandate to the Congress as the largest party to form the government. Is BJP planning to hatch one more conspiracy like in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh in the past?" he asked.
"We sincerely hope that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi will not enter into such a misadventure to decimate the will of the people for people have spoken clearly," he added.
--IANS
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