Outgoing Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said he takes “full responsibility” for the defeat of the BJP in the Assembly election even as former CM and BJP strongman BS Yediyurappa stressed that the state poll results will have absolutely no bearing on next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Talking to reporters, Bommai said he accepts the people’s mandate and as the head of the government, takes full responsibility for the BJP’s defeat, adding that the party will conduct a complete analysis of their defeat in the coming days.
Basavaraj Bommai assured that the BJP would act as a responsible opposition and conceded that the Congress employed a “much organized” poll strategy that led to their victory.
He said the BJP will analyse the performance of every constituency in detail in the coming days and try to overcome their shortcomings and bounce back, adding that the party will now focus on making necessary preparations organisationally and administratively for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to emerge victorious and secure a third term at the Centre.
Asked why the PM Modi and Amit Shah factor did not work in the Karnataka polls, Bommai said the Congress had a better and organized election strategy which led to their win.
The Chief Minister, who secured a victory from Shiggaon Assembly segment despite the BJP’s mediocre performance, thanked the people for electing him and said he will work for the development of the constituency.
“No bearing on 2024 Lok Sabha polls”
Meanwhile, former CM and BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa stressed that the Karnataka results will have no bearing on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the saffron party will strive hard to repeat their 2019 feat by winning at least 25 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats.
Talking to newsmen, Yediyurappa maintained that the Karnataka election result will not affect the 2024 elections in the slightest and the BJP will make an all-out effort to make sure Prime Minister Narendra Modi is voted to power again.
The four-time chief minister said he “respectfully” accepts the people’s verdict while also urging the Congress to make good on their poll promises.
Yediyurappa also urged BJP supporters and workers not be feel deflated by the defeat, adding that the party will introspect the reason behind the Karnataka debacle.
The Congress is all but on the verge of forming a majority government in the state as Chief Minister Basavaraj implicitly conceded defeat saying that BJP wasn’t able to cross the “magic mark” despite the best efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Latest counts have put the grand old party ahead in the vicinity of over 140 seats, way ahead of the 113 required to form a majority government.
The Congress has already been declared victorious in 114 seats when last reports came in.