Bihar debacle a personal defeat for Modi, says CM

 Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the Bihar Assembly elections result was a personal defeat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the verdict was a victory for “secularism” and “social justice”.

“The BJP played the communal card to divide the Hindus and Muslims. Today, the BJP has been exposed and their true colours have become public”, the chief minister said.

The chief minister said Modi had addressed election rallies at 28 places in Bihar during the last few weeks, but people of the state were not impressed. The promises made during the Lok Sabha polls are yet to be delivered. The BJP’s anti-beef consumption stand and intolerance cost the party dear in the Bihar polls. It is a pointer for future elections in the country, he said.

‘Message for regional parties’
JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy said the Bihar assembly polls verdict was a “good message” for regional parties.

‘Clear message’

“The voters of Bihar have sent a clear message that if regional parties (RJD and JD-U) do good work then they can overshadow national parties”, Kumaraswamy said.  
He said the people of Bihar had voted in favour of the administration and governance delivered by Nitesh Kumar as chief minister.

On his part, BJP State President Pralhad Joshi said the Bihar verdict had shown that national politics in the coming days “will be veering around BJP and others” .
He said the defeat will not deter the BJP from continuing “good work”at the Centre.

‘Countdown for BJP fall’

KPCC President and Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the  countdown for the downfall of the BJP in the country had already begun.

The minister, who was in Udupi, said that the victory of the grand alliance in Bihar would play a decisive role in the political scenario of the country in the days to come.
Union Chemicals and Fertilizer Minister Ananth Kumar, who was the party’s election incharge in Bihar, tweeted on his page, “Respect the mandate given by the people of Bihar. Congratulate Nitishji and Laluji and wish them to provide good governance and development”.

State JD(U) President M P Nadagouda said the Bihar verdict would help in reviving the unit of the party in the state.

“I will soon start meeting leaders who have stayed away from the party for various reasons and bring them back into the party fold”,  Nadagouda said.