#Karnatakaverdict : Congress blames EVM, local leadership for defeat but excuses Rahul Gandhi; BJP thanks people for massive support
New Delhi, May 15: As soon as the Bharatiya Janata Party is surging to clinch a historic victory in Karnataka Assembly polls, the saffron party is delighted and thanked the people of the state for unanimous support. On the other side, Congress in a bid to protect Rahul Gandhi has started its foul cry by blaming EVM tampering, failure of plans, failure of local leaders blah-blah-blah.
Notably, as per the latest update, BJP is all set to form the government as it is leading on 113 out of 224 seats in Karnataka with the vote share of 37.1%. On the other side, Congress is only leading on only 68 seats with the vote share of 37.9% while Deve Gowda led Janata Dal (S) is nowhere in the contest as it is leading on 38 seats the vote share of 17.4%. Independent candidates are leading on 2 seats.
The result on 78 seats of 224 Karnataka Assembly constituencies been declared so far and according to it, BJP has won 52 seats while Congress bagged only 21. JDS bagged 4 seats while BSP won 1 seat. However, BJP workers have started celebrating in Bengaluru. BJP parliamentary board to meet at 6 pm at party headquarters in Delhi today.
BJP thanks people of Karnataka:
BJP national secretary Ram Madhav said, “I would like to thank the people of Karnataka for this mandate. The credit also goes to the hard work of PM Modi and Amit Shah, as well as state leadership, party workers and RSS cadre. BJP’s southward march has begun.” “The Sangha Parivar cadres have helped us enormously. In certain regions, like coastal Karnataka, Parivar has helped us a lot,” Madhav added.
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouan in a tweet said, “With this #KarnatakaVerdict it’s time for Congress to change its name from Indian National Congress to Congress (PMP). Congress - Punjab, Mizoram, Puducherry.”
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman while talking to media said, “It is a historic day for the BJP and the win was an endorsement of Modi’s development agenda. People have rejected divisive, toxic and negative politics of the Congress.”
Meanwhile, Ravi Shankar Prasad took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying somebody was dreaming of becoming prime minister.
HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “The people of Karnataka want good governance, that is why they have chosen BJP. This is a big victory for the party. Congress is losing state after state and we are winning state after state.”
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "Congress is now opposing for the sake of it. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, we will certainly win."
BJP MP from Karnataka Shobha Karandlaje credits the party’s performance in the state to PM Modi and Amit Shah’s campaigning. “The mandate is clearly against the divisive politics of the Congress and arrogance of Siddaramaiah. The victory belongs to the extensive campaign by Narendra Modi, party President Amit Shah and our Chief Ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa,” Karandlaje said.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti congratulates the BJP for its stellar performance in Karnataka assembly elections. “Hearty congratulations to @BJP4India for their stellar performance in Karnataka,” Mehbooba says in a tweet.
Chattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh said, I congratulate the people of Karnataka for reposing their faith in the leadership of PM @narendramodi ji and @AmitShah ji by giving a historical mandate to @BJP4Karnataka.This victory is a precursor of the inevitable @BJP4India victory in 2019 elections. #KarnatakaVerdict.”
Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje in a tweet said, “History in the making as BJP emerges as the largest party in #Karnataka Assembly. Congratulate our inspiring leaders PM Shri @narendramodi and Shri @AmitShah ji who worked tirelessly to turn the tide. Karnataka has spoken! #KarnatakaElections2018.”
Congress foul cry begins
As soon as dream of winning Karnataka elections went into vain, poor Congress party rakes up EVM-tampering row. Congress leader Mohan Prakash said, “I am saying it from day one, there is no political party in India which has not raised questions on EVMs, even the BJP has done it in the past. Now when all parties are doubting EVMs, then what problem does BJP have in conducting polls through ballot.”
Totally on the back foot, Congress is making all such reasons only to save Rahul Gandhi. Karnataka minister DK Shivkumar said “Rahul Gandhi did his best, but it is us who have lost the elections. We, the local leadership, should have en-cashed it in a proper way, because of which we lost it.” He added, “We were confident Congress would come back with a majority, I am also surprised by the trends. We will have to study what has happened.”
The National Conference leader Omar Abdullah quotes Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar “Et tu, Karnataka?” too to a twitter saying BJP appeared set to return to power in the southern state.