NEW DELHI: After emerging as the single largest party in the Karnataka assembly polls,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the verdict has changed the perception that BJP is only a party of the Hindi-speaking states.
"Are Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, the Northeastern
states
Hindi speaking states? No, BJP represents India and our proud diversity," the PM said while addressing his party workers in the national capital.
During his address, the Prime Minister slammed the Congress after its announced that it will extend support to JD(S) to stop the BJP from forming a government in the state.
"One cannot even imagine that the Congress for its selfish political gains will attempt to sabotage the Constitution of India," he said.
Earlier today, BJP had emerged as the single largest party by crossing the 100+ mark in the 224-seat assembly.
The saffron party's attempt to stake claim to the government was subverted when its arch-rival, the Congress, announced that it is ready to support the Janta Dal (secular) party with its leader HD Kumaraswamy as the chief minister.
Later in the afternoon, as soon as it became clear that no party is in position to form a government, leaders of all the parties held meeting with the governor of the state and urged him to invite their respective parties to form the government.
During his address, the Prime Minister also extended his condolences to the people who lost their lives in an accident in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Sixteen people were killed after the collapse of an under-construction flyover today.
"I am happy about Karnataka's victory but on the other hand, I am saddened by the loss of lives in Varanasi. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased and assure that the government will do whatever it can to support these families," the PM added.
The Prime Minister also spoke on the issue of violence during the panchayat elections in West Bengal.
"People were disallowed to file nominations also. It is not only BJP people who suffered. People from all the leading parties except the one that rules Bengal suffered. This is serious. A land as great as West Bengal has to see such sights, it is unfortunate," he said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the party workers after holding a Parliamentary Board meeting at BJP headquarters in the capital.
Prior to the PM's speech, BJP president
Amit Shah had congratulated the party workers for their performance in the state assembly elections and said that BJP will not only win the 2019 elections, but it will also come to power in 2022.
"In 2019 we will not only form the government under the leadership of Modi Ji but also form a New India in 2022," he said.
