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By PTI - NEW DELHI
20th December 2012 02:06 PM
The BJP may form a government in Gujarat but "the real winner" in the state is the Congress, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said Thursday.
As
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headed towards victory in the 182-member Gujarat assembly, Chidambaram underlined that the BJP's appeal had shrunk in the state.
"It is true that the BJP has won in the sense that it will form the government," he told the media here.
"But
the real winner is the Congress, which (is set to win) more seats than in 2007. It is the Congress message that has attracted more voters."
In
contrast, he said, the number of seats which would be won by the BJP with votes still being counted would be around 117 -- the same number it
got five years ago.
"It is the BJP base that has shrunk, even if it has shrunk only a little," he said.
Chidambaram said the BJP win was expected as the Modi government had strangulated bureaucracy.
"The
important point is the kind of sweeping victory the BJP was expecting is not there and it has been contained below the number they had last time," Chidambaram said.
He said that Congress has made an impression on the minds of people in Gujarat.
"The exaggerated claims by the BJP have been proven wrong. Large sections of people of Gujarat feel left behind."
Copyright © 2012 The New Indian Express. All rights reserved.
Comments(7)
With a minority at the centre, it takes certain audacity to make such comments. I hope the senior congress ministers accept the verdict of Gujarati people in a graceful manner and not demonstrate the lack of connection with the masses, yet again....
Posted by R Ramanujam at 12/20/2012 15:12 Reply to this Report abuse
Grapes are Sour.! We must have courage to accept.Even if BJP had won all the 182 seats,we could still find comments & Criticism. Like great men have said,true work & achievements,has to pass through ridicule & criticism.! Great people make their mark by their work,not talk. Modi is indeed one.
Posted by Balaji at 12/20/2012 16:41 Reply to this Report abuse
Yes it is the way of congress.Even though congress led UPAII has formed a government at the centre,the real rulers are Karunanidhiji,Mayavathiji and Mulayam singhji and the defacto PM is an open secret.There are umpty numbers trying to occupy the PM Chair,and we will hear such bravados and bloomers quite often..May be Chidambaranji is also eyeing that chair.
Posted by K.Sugavanam at 12/20/2012 17:46 Reply to this Report abuse
Mr.PC, You are supposed to a seasoned, senior politician. You are being childish.Grow Up.
Posted by K V NATARAJAN at 12/20/2012 17:47 Reply to this Report abuse
He belongs to a party whose minister said that the loss in 2G was zero. He has said when coal was not excavated how there could be any loss. Now he has come out with another astonishing statement.He sees victory in defeat!
Posted by R.Balasundaram at 12/20/2012 18:55 Reply to this Report abuse