After victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, BJP now confident of winning Telangana

HYDERABAD: BJP’s victory in the Assembly polls of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh was differently interpreted by both BJP and Congress in the state. While the saffron party leaders said this was a good omen for the party, which wants to come to power in Telangana, Congress leaders said the way Congress had improved its voting share in Gujarat, clearly showed that the grand-old party was on its way back to power.The BJP leaders in the State on Monday celebrated the impressive victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh at party Telangana State unit office in Hyderabad on Monday. As soon as positive trends began coming out for the BJP, the party leaders busted crackers and distributed sweets expressing their joy. 

While taking part in the celebrations, BJP state unit chief K Laxman said the results of both Gujarat and HP States gave the much needed confidence to the party state cadres to intensify their efforts to improve party’s electoral fortunes in the State.“Our party central leadership’s next target is southern states. Telangana is on the top of the party’s agenda. In January, party national president Amit Shah is going to undertake three-day tour across the State with an aim to give direction to the party cadres in the run-up to the next general elections.

Likewise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also hereafter frequently tour the State to strengthen the party at grassroots level,” Laxman said. According to ex-Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, State BJP leadership was confident that party’s success in both states will help its cadre in TS in taking up agitations against TRS with renewed vigour. 

Against this backdrop, BJP State leadership will hold meetings with party seniors for three days, starting from Tuesday in Hyderabad, during which party leaders will review party’s position.On the other hand, TS Congress leaders too saw results of Gujarat as a good sign. TPCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the outcome of Gujarat Assembly elections was a clear indication that Congress was on its way back to power across the country.

“Though Congress has not got required numbers to form the government, it increased its tally from 61 in last elections to 81 now. Similarly, the vote share increased from 38.95% in 2012 to 42.3% this time. BJP has openly violated election code of conduct on multiple occasions, tried to polarise voters and even Modi broke several laws to win elections. Amid strong suspicion of tampering of EVMs by BJP government, Congress was able to give a tough fight to the BJP,” Uttam said. 

Party senior Mohammed Ali Shabbir said, “Though both Modi and Amit Shah claimed 150 seats, their false bravado was visible all through as they knew in heart of hearts that BJP score could be lesser than 2012. BJP might have won technically, but popular votes had sided with the Congress.”