Delhi rejected BJP for its politics of hate: Opposition

New Delhi, February 11

Leaders across parties reacted to the Delhi Assembly election results on Tuesday, with several claiming that the city-state sent out a message to the BJP for its “politics of hate.”

People of Delhi have given a befitting reply to the BJP’s “politics of hate and violence”, the CPI(M) said on Tuesday as it congratulated Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party for a resounding win.

 “Congratulations @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty and the people of Delhi who have given a befitting reply to BJP’s politics of hate and violence. Union ministers called for ‘gaalis’ and ‘golis’. People have given their answer,” said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in a tweet.

He said the national security meant securing lives, livelihoods, education and health and that “abuse and threats to shoot down the electorate in the face of a serious economic crisis in the country, jobs loss, democracy in tatters, all got a fitting rebuff”.

“BJP’s top leaders, its ministers and MPs cannot be allowed to get away with incitements and threats to murder. Last time such an atmosphere of hate & violence was generated, Gandhiji was assassinated,” he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday mocked the BJP over its imminent defeat in Delhi assembly polls, and said the saffron party got a “befitting reply” for torturing students and women in the national capital.

Addressing a rally here, she said one state after another was slipping out of the BJP’s grip, and the party would soon lose all states under its control.

“The BJP tortured students and women in Delhi. The party got a befitting reply in Delhi assembly polls. It will face similar results in 2021 assembly polls in Bengal. Only development initiatives will click (with people), CAA, NRC and NPR will be rejected,” she said at a rally in Bankura.

Banerjee also congratulated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who appeared to be heading back to power in Delhi with a thumping majority.

Banerjee said leaders playing on faith and divisive politics should take a cue, as only those who deliver on their promises are rewarded.

“Congratulations @ArvindKejriwal as #DelhiResults show @AamAadmiParty all set to win #DelhiElection2020 with a thumping majority yet again. Leaders playing on faith through hate speech & divisive politics should take a cue, as only those who deliver on their promises are rewarded,” she tweeted.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram tweeted: “AAP won, bluff and bluster lost. The people of Delhi, who are from all parts of India, have defeated the polarising, divisive and dangerous agenda of the BJP I salute the people of Delhi who have set an example to other states that will hold their elections in 2021 and 2022.”

Election strategist Prashant Kishor, whose organisation I-PAC managed AAP's poll campaign, also tweeted and ‘thanked’ Delhi “for standing up to protect the soul of India!"—with PTI inputs