State Election Results 2018: It’s Time For Change, Rahul Gandhi Says In His Victory Speech
Rahul Gandhi addresses the media after the Congress Party’s strong show in three out of five state elections.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that there is growing discontent against the Bharatiya Janata Party and it’s electoral slide in three important states is testament to that.
“This is a clear message to the Prime Minister and BJP that the country is not happy with what they are doing,” Gandhi said addressing the media in New Delhi after Congress looked set to win Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. “The country isn't happy with demonetisation, the country isn't happy with GST and the country is not happy with the lack of jobs.”
Congress looks set to form governments in at least two of the five states—Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan—and possibly in Madhya Pradesh where there is still an ongoing close fight. The party has already surpassed exit poll projections.
Gandhi said that the sense of discontent is what has helped Congress perform well in these state assembly elections.
There’s a sense in the youth that promises of the Prime Minister has been broken. It hasn’t been fulfilled. That same feeling is there among the farmers. There is a sense of discontent, inability to see the future, inability to understand how they will survive and thrive in agriculture. I think that has had a big impact.Rahul Gandhi, President, Congress
Gandhi said that across the nation there are two key issues: farm distress and unemployment. “These are central themes. This is a problem throughout the country. And we will have to reach a strategic solution for this.”
He added that today’s result is also a clear indication that BJP won’t have it easy in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2019. “I've been saying it for some time. I think with a resurgent Congress party in these states and other states where BJP is ruling, along with the combined opposition, it is going to become very difficult for the Prime Minister and BJP to win the elections.”
Watch the full press conference here.