The results for assembly elections 2018 for five states – Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh was declared on December 11. The multi-phased elections are being billed as the semi-final ahead of next year’s general elections. While the results have left most of the country in a state of either shock or sheer joy, some prominent political leaders expressed their emotions through press meets or the easier alternative – tweets.
Even though Congress party dealt a severe blow in both Telangana and Mizoram, the gains for the party in India’s Hindi heartland is still gaining momentum, considering the upcoming general elections.
PM Narendra Modi: We accept people’s mandate with humility
While social media was buzzing with tweets and retweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a series of Tweets not only congratulated Congress for winning in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh but also acknowledged the BJP’s defeat in Telangana and Mizoram.
He said, “Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.”
We accept the people’s mandate with humility.
I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018
The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hardwork.
Victory and defeat are an integral part of life.
Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018
We accept the people’s mandate with humility.
I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley: Result was certainly not as expected
While he said that the election results are unlikely to have a bearing on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it is time for BJP to “pause and introspect”, reported Hindustan Times. It was a tough fight but we had not speculated that the gap would be so large…Certainly, we could have done much better. I think it’s time for us to pause and introspect,” he said.
Commenting on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, he said, “An election is a combination of several factors. I don’t think anybody should mislead himself by thinking that the victory or defeat is due to one person.”
Meanwhile, BJP President Amit Shah in a single tweet congratulated the TRS party for its win in Telangana.
Congratulations to Shri K. Chandrashekar Rao ji and @trspartyonline for the impressive victory in Telangana assembly elections.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 11, 2018
Congress President Rahul Gandhi: It’s a win for farmers, youth, unemployed
Addressing the media in New Delhi, Gandhi said, “This is a clear message to the Prime Minister and BJP that the country is not happy with what they are doing. He also added, “Narendra Modi taught me the lesson – what not to do.”
The Quint quoted him as saying, “PM Modi was handed a huge opportunity. It is a sad thing that he refused to listen to the heartbeat of the country. The arrogance came in.”
Taking a jibe at BJP, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “No wonder the BJP is so upset today. The voters just gave them a triple talaaq.” He was quoted by Outlook as saying, “People are now fed up with the false speeches and statements (Jumlebaazi) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.
WB CM Mamata Banerjee: BJP is nowhere
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, in a series of Tweets, said, “This is the people’s verdict and victory of the people of this country.”
People voted against BJP. This is the people’s verdict and victory of the people of this country 1/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
She added, “Victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people, farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste ⅔”
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners 3/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
Raj Thackeray: Pappu has become Param Pujya
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray reportedly said, “Rahul Gandhi was alone in Gujarat, even in Karnataka and now too. Now Pappu has become Param Pujya. Will his leadership be accepted at the national level, you are seeing it.”
Gandhi was often taunted by BJP as Pappu. Thackeray further said, “It was bound to happen…The way Amit Shah and Modi ji behaved in the past four years.”
Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje: I would like to congratulate Congress
On Tuesday, Raje handed over her resignation to Governor Kalyan Singh and in a Tweet, she wrote:
While I congratulate INC, I am very proud of the work my Govt. has done in the last 5 yrs. Hope the incoming Govt. will continue our good work and consolidate the multiple interventions we made to benefit the people of #Rajasthan – a state I will be personally committed to.
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) December 11, 2018
Meanwhile, eminent journalists also took to the social media platform and showered their appreciation for Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and the party’s victory.
A month ago, i listened to @RahulGandhi in a hall in Indore, take 50+ questions from two dozen of us – answer all with confidence, spunk & spontaniety. With smile, humour, and firmness. I told many politicians and editors later that the man has arrived. Today, he showed it to all
— Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_ET) December 11, 2018
Now that @RahulGandhi is no more the joker in the pack; he is the victor, a gracious, dignified victor after a long hard battle, BJP (and the media) will have to find new words to describe him— hopefully more respectful. And, hopefully, this time, they will lay off his family
— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) December 12, 2018
A month ago, i listened to @RahulGandhi in a hall in Indore, take 50+ questions from two dozen of us – answer all with confidence, spunk & spontaniety. With smile, humour, and firmness. I told many politicians and editors later that the man has arrived. Today, he showed it to all
— Aman Sharma (@AmanKayamHai_ET) December 11, 2018
The comments were a reflection of the nation’s sentiments at large where many eminent personalities came forward to share their opinion on the matter.
Also Read: Election Results: MP, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Telangana & Mizoram; Who Won Where?
