Shocked BJP notices cracks

With the BJP’s resounding defeat in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, a pall of gloom has descended over the party headquarters in t...

With the BJP’s resounding defeat in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, a pall of gloom has descended over the party headquarters in the Capital.

An eerie silence prevailed over the party office at 11, Ashoka Road after news of the Himachal results poured in. The place which, less than three months ago, was a scene of festivity wore a deserted look today with no soul in sight. The office, party sources said, was officially ‘‘closed’’ on account of Mahashivratri.

BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu was at his Aurangzeb Road residence, huddled up with Hindutva’s latest proponent Narendra Modi after a long meeting with Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and senior party leaders, discussing the rebellion by five ministers of the Samata Party and JD(U) against Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi.

Story continues below this ad

Naidu told reporters later that the Himachal defeat was a result of ‘‘disunity’’ in the party. ‘We accept the verdict with humility,’’ he said. However, he declared that the BJP stood by Hindutva, which ‘‘is the soul of India’’. The BJP chief went on to add, ‘‘Losing one election and winning another is not a setback to the party. It is like a one-day match series where winning the series is more important. The defeat will not have any effect on the BJP at the national level. It will not demoralise our cadres.’’

Union Food and Agriculture Minister Shanta Kumar quickly pitched in, ‘‘Hindutva was not an issue. The election was fought on the basis of development and performance…. The poll verdict is an expression of anger of people against us.’’ In an apparent dig at Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal over his ‘‘vishwas-yatra’’, he said: ‘‘We did carry out a lot of developmental work, but we could not win the confidence (vishwas) of the people.’’

RSS spokesman Ram Madhav downplayed the results, saying it was a purely political battle rather than any ideological clash. ‘‘Congress proved to be better organised and united and they won.’’

‘Double bonanza for poor, middle class’: PM’s swadeshi pitch ahead of new GST roll out

India6 hr ago

PM Modi announced the rollout of new GST rates, calling it a "GST bachat utsav" and promising cheaper prices for medicines, insurance, and daily essentials. He emphasized that these reforms would ease doing business, attract investment, and benefit the poor, middle class, MSMEs, farmers, women, traders, and youth. He urged citizens to promote swadeshi goods.

View all shorts

Live Blog