**Bhubanesswar:** A big takeaway from Assembly Elections 2018 is that if BJP has such big losses in three Hindi-heartland states then, it might suffer the similar loss in the Lok Sabha. On the other hand, With the big battle of 2019 approaching, the election results holds enormous significance for the Congress which has got a new lease of life.
OMMCOM NEWS spoke to leaders from different political parties in Odisha and solicited their take on the poll verdict.
Arun Sahu, General Secretary, BJD:
All arithmetic and analysis BJP National president Amit Shah have been dusted. They claimed to win 150 seats in MP, 130 in Rajasthan and clinch Chattisgarh, but the electorate of the three States has rejected BJP.
Indian democracy has once again rejected the language and governance-laced which are with arrogance. Similar results (anti-BJP) will be replicated in States across India.
Farmers of Chhattisgarh have suffered under BJP-rule which made all efforts to deprive Odisha over its rights on Mahanadi water. The clean sweep of Congress in Chhattisgarh proves that the people of the State were exasperated with BJP.
Niranjan Patnaik, PCC President:
Mr Modi had proclaimed a Congress-mukt Bharat. But the assembly election results have turned the tables for the BJP. There is a high probability that Modi’s slogans might boomerang for his own party and India would see a BJP-mukt Bharat soon.
I congratulate the people of the five states where elections were held. They have closely watched the situation of the country in the past four years and voted accordingly. Despite spending enormous amount of money in the recently concluded assembly polls, BJP’s Congress-mukt Bharat dream could not be fulfilled.
Pratap Sarangi, BJP Leader:
We accept the defeat with humility and it is a time for the BJP to introspect. The reason for the defeat will be investigated thoroughly after which our leadership will make necessary amendments.
There is no doubt that Modi is the most popular Prime Minister. In today’s scenario, India’s politics has been polarised. On one side is the BJP, on the other are regional parties and the Congress.
The non-BJP parties have put all energy to keep BJP out of power in the States. But such alliances are not sustainable and would not last long.
Sanjay Dasburma, General Secretary, BJD:
Through the assembly polls the people of India have rejected communal forces. And if the results are carefully analysed, it may be inferred that the support for regional parties has amplified.
While people of Odisha have repeatedly voted back the BJD to power, the outcome of 2019 elections in the State would be no different. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s popularity will garner convincing majority for the BJD once again.
