Opposition buoyed by election outcome, congratulates Cong

NEWDELHI: Non-Congress Opposition leaders claimed that the BJP’s unimpressive showing in the five assembly elections on Tuesday was a clear indication of things to come in next year’s general elections.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee termed the results “the people’s verdict and victory of this country’s people .”

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said, “People of all states are against the BJP. Results of these assembly polls will enable formation of a strong alternative to the BJP in the 2019 general elections.”

“The resurgence of the Congress is a good sign not just for the party, but also for the Opposition as a whole. The Congress would be more comfortable to show its authority and firm up its position as the pivotal force,” said a senior Left leader, who did not wish to be named.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, “These results have shattered the myth of the BJP’s invincibility.”

DMK leader MK Stalin said, “These results will reinforce our fight against the fascist BJP regime and help in strengthening the grand alliance.”

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan of the Makkal Needhi Maiam said the results marked “a new beginning”.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav appeared to hint at unity when he tweeted in Hindi after the election results, “When one plus one makes eleven, then many big powers run away.”

LONE RAJASTHAN WIN IS OXYGEN FOR RLD

Winning the Bharatpur assembly seat in Rajasthan was morale booster for the Rashtriya Lok Dal. The party secured a win at a time when it was left with no representation in Parliament or in any state assembly. “The RLD has done very well by winning the Bharatpur seat and coming second in the Malpura assembly constituency,” RLD spokesperson Anil Chaudhary said.