The Congress on Saturday said that its defeat in Maharashtra is part of a "targeted conspiracy" against the party and that it will not be deterred from its agenda on "Modani" and the demand for a nationwide caste census.
Addressing the media after the election results showed the NDA running away towards a historic majority, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said that the party will investigate the reasons behind the defeat in Maharashtra and stated that it had indeed come as a setback.
"Maharashtra outcome brought through targeted conspiracy to defeat Congress; our morale not down, will strengthen party," said Ramesh. "The atmosphere that we saw across the state, we were certain that there widespread resentment against the ruling alliance. However, the results that have come are weird and appear to be part of a targetted conspiracy against us. Indeed, the outcome has come as a setback. However, we wish to state that this defeat will not deter the Congress party from raising the issues like 'Modani', caste census etc., in the Parliament, outside Parliament as well as in Maharashtra," Ramesh said.
The party, however, welcomed the results in Jharkhand where the JMM-Congress-RJD combine was heading towards a clear majority. "The victory in Jharkhand is the people's rejection of the BJP's divisive campaign which singularly revolved around the issue of infiltration. The people have rejected it outright and we are on course to form a government in the state again. We (Congress) are grateful to the people of Jharkhand for reposing their faith in us," Ramesh added.
The Congress leader's remarks come as the Election Commission of India released the election results for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. The NDA has registered a decisive victory ion the Maharashtra elections, winning 235 of the 288 Assembly seats in the state. The BJP is on track to win 133 seats, the Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41. Within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Shiv Sena (UBT) bagged 20 seats, Congress 15 seats and the NCP(SP) 10.
In Jharkhand, the JMM, Congress, RJD and the CPI(ML)-L are set to retain power. As per the trends available at the time of filing this report, Hemant Soren's JMM is leading in 34 seats, the Congress 16, RJD 4 and the Left 2. The BJP lagged behind with 21 seats and the JD(U), LJP, AJSU one seat each.
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