BJD, Cong play down BJP victory

BHUBANESWAR: Even as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for BJP’s victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the BJD played down saffron party’s win saying it would not have any impact in Odisha.

“Spoke to PM  & Union Finance Minister and congratulated them on the win in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections,” the Chief Minister said in a tweet. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said people in Odisha as well as the country have tremendous faith on the Prime Minister. The party’s victory will certainly have an impact in Odisha, he said.

However, BJD spokesperson Samir Dash said though BJP registered a win in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh the results were not satisfactory owing to the sharp decline in margins. Referring to BJP’s target to win 150 seats in Gujarat, BJD state secretary Bijay Nayak said the election results have come as a big letdown for the saffron party.

Congress also played down the Gujarat victory of BJP. “The Congress is not on the backfoot as we have managed to give a tough fight to the BJP. BJP’s victory will certainly not have any impact here in Odisha politics,” said Congress chief whip in the Assembly Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

The State BJP leaders and workers, however, celebrated the party’s victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. “The win in two states has strengthened the BJP further in the entire country,” state general secretary Bhrugu Buxipatra said and added that despite the Congress opposition to introduction of GST, demonetisation and caste-based campaign, the people of Gujarat have supported BJP. “The elections results have proved the faith reposed by the people of the country on the Prime Minister,” he said.