BJP wins 4 states; Modi expresses hope for 2024 elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged victorious in four of the five states where election results became clear on Thursday. The BJP swept Uttar Pradesh—which sends the most legislators to parliament as India's most populous state—leaving it optimistic about the 2024 general elections. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also expanded its reign to Punjab. The counting of votes is still underway.
BJP eyes majority win in UP again
The BJP has won 192 seats so far and is leading in 63 others. The party appears set to win by a majority (the majority mark is 201). The Samajwadi Party won or leads in 110 seats. However, even with the support of smaller parties—which mostly earned seats in the single-digit—it will not be able to collate the required number of seats.
Celebration at BJP's HQ in Delhi
The saffron party has planned a huge celebration at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders. Addressing a crowd, Modi expressed confidence in a 2024 victory.
Modi thanks first-time voters for victory
When the BJP won in 2019 (general elections), political analysts said it was because of the 2017 polls, Modi said, adding that he is now optimistic about a 2024 re-election. He said, "I'm happy that first-time voters participated in the elections and ensured BJP's victories." He also said that he can see the BJP becoming a "force to be reckoned with" in Punjab.
BJP comeback in Manipur
The same as UP, the Manipur election results were obvious after the exit polls. The BJP has won 28 seats and is leading in four. With this, the party is set to cross the majority mark of 31 in the 60-member assembly. The Congress, JD(U), NPP, and NPF have won/leading in five, six, seven, and five seats, respectively.
Clear BJP majority in Uttarakhand
The exit polls had predicted a BJP-Congress hung assembly in Uttarakhand. However, the BJP has won a clear majority in the 70-member assembly, winning 43 seats and leading in four. The Congress' performance remained dismal as the party looked set to take home just 19 seats. However, incumbent CM Pushkar Singh Dhami lost to Congress' Bhuwan Chandra Kapri from Khatima.
Manipur CM hails 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' mantra
Manipur CM N Biren Singh thanked the people of Manipur and senior BJP leaders for the verdict. He hailed Modi's mantra of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'. Singh himself won from Heingang, defeating his closest Congress rival by an 18,271 vote margin.
Goa also defies exit polls
In Goa, the BJP has won 20 seats. It needed 21 to pass the majority mark in the 40-seat assembly. However, it claims the support of five other candidates. The Congress won just 11 seats. Interestingly, the exit polls had predicted a BJP-Congress hung assembly. The election results have jolted the Sonia-Gandhi-led Congress party's performance, as it had high hopes in Goa.
Punjab witnesses massive shift
Punjab marked a turn of the tide as the ruling Congress faced an embarrassing defeat after over a year-long political crisis. Under the uninfluential leadership of Charanjit Singh Channi, Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member assembly. Channi himself lost from both Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur seats. With Bhagwant Mann as its CM face, the AAP registered a resounding victory of 92 seats.
Senior leaders lose to AAP in Punjab
Interestingly, veteran leaders such as Shiromani Akali Dal's Sukhbir Singh Badal and Parkash Singh Badal, and Congress' Navjot Singh Sidhu and Amarinder Singh also faced defeats. The verdict indicates the desperation for change and disillusionment with the Congress party.
Will learn from mistakes: Congress' Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he "humbly" accepted the people's verdict. "We will learn from this and keep working for the interests of the people of India," he said, expressing gratitude to party workers and best wishes to those who won. However, BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani said Gandhi does not have the "strength" to learn from his mistakes.
Congress keeps losing face
Congress' support base has dwindled over the years, especially after its embarrassing defeat in the 2019 general elections and political infighting that has since emerged. Congress even appears to ignore its senior-most leaders, the defiant G-23, who had called for radical changes in the party.
