Assembly Election Results Not in BJP’s Favour, But Cannot be Linked With 2019 Lok Sabha Polls: Amit Shah

Shah said that the state elections cannot be linked with the Lok Sabha polls as both are fought on separate issues.

Mumbai: BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday admitted that the party’s dismal performance in the recently-concluded assembly elections but asserted that the results should not be linked with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“The results in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh definitely not favourable for BJP, but it is not right to link them with the 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” Shah said while speaking at an event in Mumbai.

Shah said that the state elections cannot be linked with the Lok Sabha polls as both are fought on separate issues.

The BJP suffered a big blow in the polls as it lost power in three states, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, ruled by it. The opposition’s growing challenge to its reign was reaffirmed following the Congress’ win in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, which has been bastions for over 15 years, and Rajasthan.

“We accept the people’s mandate (in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh); we will introspect on the poll results,” said Shah.

The BJP chief said that it is important not only for the BJP but for the entire country that the saffron party wins the upcoming elections in the Hindi heartland and other areas.

Taking a dig at the opposition’s frequent efforts to forge a grand alliance to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shah termed it an illusion.

“The reality of opposition ‘mahagathbandhan’ (grand alliance) is different. It doesn’t exist and is a ‘bhranti’ (illusion),” he said.

“The mahagathbandhan does not exist anywhere. We have fought against all of them in 2014 and defeated them to form the government. They are all regional leaders, they can’t help each other,” the BJP president said.

Shah said the BJP will gain in West Bengal, North-East and Odisha in 2019.

“The issues of elections are: in five years how have we ensured national security and defeated corruption. We have provided toilets in eight crore homes and electricity in 2.5 crore homes,” Shah said.

Shah further exuded confidence that the BJP’s dissenting ally Shiv Sena will go hand-in-hand with the saffron party in the upcoming general elections and said that talks are on pacify it. “I am sure the Shiv Sena will be with us in 2019 Lok Sabha elections; talks are on (with them),” he said.