BJP returned to power in Gujarat with a historic victory while Congress made a comeback in Himachal Pradesh in the results announced on Thursday which also marked the start of an election season that will see several assembly polls next year in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in 2024.
The BJP has won 156 seats of 182 assembly seats in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, smashing all previous records of electoral performance. On the other hand, the Congress held its nerve in Himachal Pradesh and won 40 seats in the 68-member assembly.
For Aam Aadmi Party, which won the MCD elections on Wednesday, the results in Gujarat gave some satisfaction though the party’s numbers were far less than the expectations of its leaders. AAP made its maiden entry in the Gujarat assembly winning five seats and its leaders saw a lot of hope in the party getting 12.92 per cent vote share in the state where the BJP has been in power for almost 27 years. AAP leaders also declared that the party has now gained “national party” status.
Congress recorded its worst performance in Gujarat and is poised to win only 17 seats, partly due to AAP splitting the opposition vote.
In Gujarat, the BJP not only
improved its own record of 127 seats, made in 2002 with Narendra Modi as Chief Minister but surpassed the Congress’ best tally of 149 seats in the 1985 elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was overwhelmed with a lot of emotions seeing the phenomenal election results in Gujarat. He lauded the work of BJP workers in the party’s huge success.
The Prime Minister also thanked the people of Himachal Pradesh for their affection and support for BJP. “I thank the people of Himachal Pradesh for the affection and support for the BJP. We will keep working to fulfil the aspirations of the state and raise people’s issues in the times to come,” he said.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur resigned following the party’s defeat in the polls.
While Congress won 40 seats in Himachal Pradesh, the BJP won 25 seats. Independents won three seats and AAP failed to open its account in the state.
In terms of vote share in Himachal, Congress is only marginally ahead of the BJP having got 43.88 per cent of votes compared to 42.99 per cent of its rival. Others garnered 10.4 per cent vote share in the hill state. Himachal Pradesh has a long tradition of alternating governments and Congress was on the right side of anti-incumbency.
The Congress, which had not projected a Chief Ministerial candidate in the hill state, is planning a meeting of its MLAs in Chandigarh with some of its leaders apprehending “poaching” attempts by BJP.
Celebrations began at the BJP office in Ahmedabad soon after it was clear that the party was on course to an overwhelming victory in the state. Congress workers also celebrated the party’s performance in Himachal Pradesh.
Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the party workers in Gujarat saying they had worked tirelessly for the party’s success. Amit Shah said Gujarat has always created history. “In the last two decades, under the leadership of Modi ji, the BJP broke all the records of development in Gujarat and today the people of Gujarat have blessed the BJP and broken all the records of victory. This is a victory of the unwavering faith of the public in the development model of PM Modi,” he said.
BJP president J.P. Nadda congratulated Bhupendra Patel and said: “We humbly accept the mandate of the people. Every worker of BJP is committed to public service.”
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who resigned on Thursday following the results, said he respected the people’s mandate of Himachal Pradesh.
“I want to thank Prime Minister and central leadership (for their support) during last five years. We’ll stand for the development of the state irrespective of politics. We’ll analyse our shortcomings and improve during the next term,” Thakur told media persons in Shimla.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that AAP has become a national party in 10 years. “Today, the AAP has become a national party. Results of the Gujarat elections have come and the party has become a national party. Ten years ago, AAP was a small party, now after 10 years it has governments in two states and has become a national party,” he said.
Congress in charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajiv Shukla said the party will implement 10 guarantees in the state.
The next big task for the Congress is to choose its chief ministerial candidate among various aspirants including Pratibha Singh. Former state Congress chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and CLP leader Mukesh Agnihotri are seen as the other contenders for the post.
