We forgot issues of development that Modi took up in 2014: BJP MP Sanjay Kakade on poll results

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kakade on Tuesday said the party forgot the issue of development that Modi took up in 2014, as the Congress emereged as victorius in Rajastha and Chhattisgarh.

"I knew we would lose in Rajasthan & Chhattisgarh but MP trends have come as a surprise," said Sanjay Kakade.

Stating that the party forgot the issue of development that Modi took up in 2014, he said, "Ram Mandir, statues and name changing became the focus."

However, Union minister Shripad Naik said the outcome of assembly polls in five states is dependent on 'local factors' and it is not a verdict on the performance of the Narendra Modi government.

He also called for 'introspection' and said the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has accepted the verdict of the people.

The Congress is leading in the BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and is locked in a close fight in Madhya Pradesh. The TRS forged ahead in Telangana and the MNF in Mizoram, trends indicated.

Congress leaders said that the voters had clearly rejected the BJP in what was an indication of things to come in 2019.

"We are confident that the Congress will get a clear majority and will form government in Rajasthan," senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot.

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot, who was tasked with rebuilding the party in the state after a drubbing in the 2013 Assembly elections, exuded confidence that it will form the government there.