Blame only me for BJP defeat in Madhya Pradesh, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Rajendra Sharma | TNN | Dec 13, 2018, 05:07 ISTHighlights
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan decided to quit in the morning when BSP and Samajwadi Party announced unconditional support to Congress to form the government in Madhya Pradesh
- Chouhan said his party will play the role of constructive opposition
BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chauhan BHOPAL: “I’m free,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said here on Wednesday after accepting defeat in the hotly contested assembly election and resigning as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, an office he held for three successive terms.
“I accept complete responsibility for BJP’s defeat in the election and have resigned as the party fell short of majority. Now I am free,” said Chouhan, who had campaigned feverishly across the state and almost staved off the antiincumbency that felled BJP governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
Chouhan decided to quit in the morning when BSP and Samajwadi Party announced unconditional support to Congress to form the government in the state. Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 114 seats, two short of majority. BJP, with 109 seats, didn’t have anything to fill the gap.
“Only I am responsible for BJP’s defeat in the assembly elections and no one else. I take full responsibility for the party’s loss in Madhya Pradesh. Party workers worked hard and we received a lot of love from the people but fell short of majority. So, we have decided not to claim to form the government,” said Chouhan after handing his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel.
Asked about his meeting with Congress state president Kamal Nath, Chouhan said, “I congratulated Kamal Nath ji for his party’s performance in the elections.”
Chouhan said his party will play the role of constructive opposition. “Ab chowkidaari ki baari hamari hai (now, it’s our turn to play watchman),” he said, reminding Congress of its promise of waiving farm loan within 10 days of coming to power. “Rahul Gandhi had said that if it doesn’t happen in 10 days he will change the chief minister. I have a firm belief that Congress will fulfil its commitment and BJP will act like a chowkidar to ensure that work is done properly,” said Chouhan at a press meet after resigning. He also said the BJP had a slender edge in the vote share (41% to Congress’ 40.9%), a number from which he took heart.
“I accept complete responsibility for BJP’s defeat in the election and have resigned as the party fell short of majority. Now I am free,” said Chouhan, who had campaigned feverishly across the state and almost staved off the antiincumbency that felled BJP governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
Chouhan decided to quit in the morning when BSP and Samajwadi Party announced unconditional support to Congress to form the government in the state. Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 114 seats, two short of majority. BJP, with 109 seats, didn’t have anything to fill the gap.
“Only I am responsible for BJP’s defeat in the assembly elections and no one else. I take full responsibility for the party’s loss in Madhya Pradesh. Party workers worked hard and we received a lot of love from the people but fell short of majority. So, we have decided not to claim to form the government,” said Chouhan after handing his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel.
Asked about his meeting with Congress state president Kamal Nath, Chouhan said, “I congratulated Kamal Nath ji for his party’s performance in the elections.”
Chouhan said his party will play the role of constructive opposition. “Ab chowkidaari ki baari hamari hai (now, it’s our turn to play watchman),” he said, reminding Congress of its promise of waiving farm loan within 10 days of coming to power. “Rahul Gandhi had said that if it doesn’t happen in 10 days he will change the chief minister. I have a firm belief that Congress will fulfil its commitment and BJP will act like a chowkidar to ensure that work is done properly,” said Chouhan at a press meet after resigning. He also said the BJP had a slender edge in the vote share (41% to Congress’ 40.9%), a number from which he took heart.
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