BJP leaders, ministers say PM Modi's leadership behind poll victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

Senior BJP leaders and Union ministers today credited the party's victory in the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision for development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File | PTI)

NEW DELHI: Senior BJP leaders and Union ministers today credited the party's victory in the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision for development.

The BJP clinched the Gujarat Assembly polls sixth time in a row, winning 99 seats in the 182-member House. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP won 44 seats, slightly short of a two-thirds majority in the 68-member House.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar claimed that the results reflected that the people wanted development and not casteism or dynasty politics.

People have reposed faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's way of leadership and development, he said.

"It was not an easy election. When the Opposition gangs up on the caste basis and wants to divide on caste basis, there would always be a difficult election," the human resource development minister said.

Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the people of the country have stood by PM Modi, his policies and the direction in which the country was moving despite the "misinformation and mispropaganda" about the government.

With the Congress showing better than projected performance in Gujarat, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said the public has given the saffron party "some wake up call" and hoped that the party would do some introspection.

"I think what we need now is more people, who are at grassroots and can mobilise the public in public meetings, should be given more responsibilities in the party and not those who are just technicians," he said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani said the BJP governments in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will work for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (collective efforts, inclusive growth).

Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the polls verdict are a clear result of Modi's vision and BJP president Amit Shah's "tenacity and genius".