NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday conceeded victory for the record seventh straight term in Gujarat. The swearing in ceremony of which is scheduled to take place on Monday in the prescence of PM Modi.
The BJP stacked 158 seats (up 59) in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state while the grand old party at its worst won only 20 seats. Meanwhile, the AAP launched an aggressive campaign to make it a three-cornered contest for the first time in Gujarat, has made inroads in the western state, largely at Congress’s expense. Congress In-Charge Raghu Sharma resigned in Gujarat while outgoing Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur faced the brunt in the hill state Himachal Pradesh.
On the other hand, Himachal Pradesh, however, has proved to be in favour of Congress, which has taken a clear lead over the BJP. Currently, it is leading in 39 seats, but incumbent Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has accepted defeat and said they will “continue to play a positive role”. Interacting with the reports, Bhupesh Baghel who has been the election incharge said that the party’s high command will decide the next Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
Congress chief Malikarjun Kharge has thanked Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi for the party’s victory in Himachal Pradesh.”We have won Himachal Elections. I want to thank the people, our workers & leaders as due to their efforts this result has come. I want to thank Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra also helped us in this. Sonia Gandhi’s blessings are also with us,” Mr Kharge said, as quoted by news agency.