After a neck and neck battle with the Congress in Gujarat, the BJP seems to be coming to power in both Himachal Pradesh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. After the initial struggle that had party workers worried, celebrations have begun in BJP offices across the country.
Leaders of the party including Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and others have hailed it as the good work of party workers. Meanwhile, the Congress have been largely silent has they have lost state after state to the BJP since it came to power at the Centre in 2014.
Here are some reactions to BJP's big in in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat:
BJP chief Amit Shah called it a win against communalism, dynastic politics and politics of appeasement:
गुजरात और हिमाचल प्रदेश विधानसभा चुनावों में भाजपा की जीत..जातिवाद, वंशवाद और तुष्टीकरण के खिलाफ प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के विकासवाद की जीत है ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 18, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a victory for Gujarat and development:
जीता विकास, जीता गुजरात।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017
जय जय गरवी गुजरात!
Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hardwork which has led to these impressive victories.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017
I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017
Congress President Rahul Gandhi conceded defeat saying:
The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017
My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress's greatest strength is its decency and courage.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017
Union minister Rajnath Singh refused to make a comment, but did flash the victory sign.
Delhi: Union Minister Rajnath Singh flashes victory sign outside Parliament as trends indicate BJP's victory in both Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh #GujaratVerdict#HimachalPradeshElections2017pic.twitter.com/8x8q5gGNsp
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
Abhi toh kuch nahi bolunga kyunki woh haal hi mein adhyaksh bane hain lekin 'sar mundwate hi ole pade': Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/6q8eMW1lZD
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated voters of Gujarat for a 'balanced verdict':
I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 18, 2017
It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP.
Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019
First time candidate Jigensh Mevani said:
"I express my gratitude to the people of Vadgam for all their support. Now I will raise the voice of Gujarat's discriminated sections in the assembly," says #JigneshMevani who is leading by 19696 votes from Vadgam #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/IsInhayZ4M
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the BJP leadership and took a dig at the Congress
People have rejected divisive politics of Congress, this win is due to the dynamic leadership of BJP and the hard work of BJP workers: Yogi Adityanath,UP CM on #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/E3BrGhanCc
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2017
Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki Congress ka netritve badalna BJP ke liye shubh sanket hoga: Yogi Adityanath,UP CM on #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/kfYUdGBCms
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2017
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharam said people have recognised BJP's good work in the name of development:
Undoubtedly, a major victory. The kind of work which Party workers have done right from booth workers level till PM's level, everybody put their best foot forward and both #Gujarat & #HimachalPradesh have recognised the good work going on in the name of development: N Sitharaman pic.twitter.com/HfkCleQlCZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
Smriti Irani too called it a victory for development:
"It is a matter of happiness for us, this is the victory of development," says Union Minister Smriti Irani, on a question about Congress giving a tough fight she said, "jo jeeta wohi sikandar. It is victory of every booth worker's hard work & the people who trusted development" pic.twitter.com/oJMQKK45NV
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi congratulated Narendra Modi and Amit Shah:
Congratulations to PM Shri @narendramodi, BJP President Shri @AmitShah and all the workers of @BJP4India for victory in Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/WSszz7c1g6
— Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (@naqvimukhtar) December 18, 2017
Meanwhile, PTI quoted him as saying, "Jo jeeta wohi Sikandar. This is the message to those who joked about vikas."
While the BJP was in a celebratory mood, Patidar leader Hardik Patel claimed EVMs were rigged.
There has been tampering in EVMs in Surat,Rajkot and Ahmedabad, hence the gap is very less wherever tampering happened. EVMs are hackable: Hardik Patel pic.twitter.com/cPNaItPrbw
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
#BREAKING
— Times of India (@timesofindia) December 18, 2017
When ATMs can be hacked, why can't EVMs be hacked, says Patidar leader Hardik Patel
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