BJP virtually admits defeat

Bharatiya Janata Party, the second largest national party, admitted Saturday party’s defeat in the 15th Lok Sabha elections after watching trends and incoming results that indicated Congress-led United Progressive Alliance is going to emerge as the biggest alliance.

‘The results are far below our expectations.

•   E-mail Article
•   Printer Friendly
•   Text-Size    

The number of seats has even declined in comparison to the 2004 election results. But we accept the mandate of the people with full respect,’ BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters here.

Jaitley though did not point out the exact reasons behind the poll debacle but defended the campaign strategy of the party.

'We ran a positive campaign. We campaigned against the mismanagement of the economy, the mismanagement of national security and the need for a strong leadership,' Jaitley elucidated.

Expressing his disappointment over the incoming election results, BJP president Rajnath Singh, who is leading from Ghaziabad constituency, said, “The BJP and NDA never imagined this unexpected result.”

Another spokesperson, Balbir Punj addressing a press conference at the BJP office said, “Trends are not on expected lines. It is little disappointing…We concede that UPA is ahead.”

To take stock of the poll outcome and plan of action to be implemented ahead, the parliamentary committee of the party will be meeting Saturday evening to review the poor performance of the party in the elections.

All the BJP leaders, however, denied that the National Democratic Alliance was in the process of disintegration. "There is no break-up of the NDA," said Rajnath Singh.