Congress hails results of by-polls

The Congress hailed the results of the bye-polls in 18 constituencies across four states – Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka – that were declared on Monday. Speaking to ANI, Congress's Preneet Kaur, who won from Patiala, said, "We will struggle for our constituents for two and a half years. If they (Shiromani Akali Dal, an NDA ally) do the required work in that time, then it is good enough. But we will make a plan for the state elections in 2017."

For Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed, the verdict of the by-polls is a major setback for the BJP. "I think it is a setback for BJP in Bihar. The result is a positive sign for us, and I think the good days for our countrymen have not come yet," he said. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla also echoed similar sentiments. "Congress has swept the by-polls in Uttarakhand in July and our experiment was successful in Bihar as well. I think now the trend of people is against the BJP," said Shukla. Karnataka MP B K Hariprasad added, "With the public voting for Congress, the by polls clearly say ache din of Narendra Modi has made no difference."