Shah, BJP resolution tell party workers not to lose morale due to recent poll reverses

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 12

BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday told the party workers not to lose morale because of the adverse results in the recent Assembly elections, saying the opponent had won but the saffron party had not lost its ground. 

"In the elections in the three states (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh), our opponents won but we were not defeated. The results were not good, but we have not lost our ground. Party workers need not lose their morale," he said, speaking at the party's national convention

It was also the first time he openly acknowledged BJP's recent electoral reversals to the Congress in the three Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. "There is an opportunity in 2019 and the workers should move forward with an aim to lay the foundation of a strong government through these states," Shah said.

The meaning of "defeat" was reflected by the Congress, which had vanished from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. "The Lok Sabha polls are very important for us. If we get a massive victory, the BJP will rule the country from panchayats to Parliament for a long time," he added.

The BJP chief also asked the party workers to ensure that the votes of their family members and friends were cast by 10.30 am on the polling day. "No alliance will defeat us as we go to the election with the blessings of these 22 crore beneficiaries," he asserted.

Meanwhile, reading the outcome with "mixed feeling", the party resolution said it "shall surely draw the right lessons but surely this will serve as an inspiration for the party workers and cadres to work with renewed vigour in the Lok Saha elections".

"In 2014, the BJP was in power in six states. Today, in addition to ruling the country, the BJP has government in 16 states. In 2014, the membership of the party has 2 crore 40 lakh which has now risen to 11 crore. The people of the country are sure to re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue with his work with renewed dedication," it added.