Uttarakhand Election: Shortage In Our Efforts, Take Responsibility For Defeat, Says Congress' Harish Rawat

Harish Singh Rawat, a chief minister hopeful, lost the election today despite spearheading the campaign for his party in the state. He was contesting from the Lalkuwa seat.

Congress Leader Harish Singh Rawat. Pic: ANI

New Delhi: Congress leader and former state Chief Minister Harish Singh Rawat on Thursday expressed shock over the Congress party's dismal performance in the Uttarakhand elections. He said that the results are surprising as he failed to understand how BJP managed to get such a positive public mandate after such 'massive inflation'.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party in the hill state as per the latest trends and is most likely to form government in Uttarakhand. The latest trends in Uttarakhand have come as a shocker for veteran Congress leader Harish Rawat, both personally and as a senior leader.

According to the election trend, BJP is leading on over 48 seats in the 70-seat Uttarakhand assembly, Congress is trailing with less than 20 seats, independents are leading in two seats, and BSP on two. 

Rawat, a chief minister hopeful, lost the election today despite spearheading the campaign for his party in the state. He was contesting from the Lalkuwa seat.

Speaking to the reporters, Rawat said," Our efforts were a little less to win over the public of Uttarakhand. We were sure that people will vote for a change, there must've been a shortage in our efforts, I accept it & take responsibility for the defeat.

"Our campaign strategy was insufficient & I accept it as chairman of Complaint Committee. People worked very well & I'd like to thank them. I couldn't win people's trust but I'd like to congratulate my daughter & all the winning candidates who won.

"For me, the results are very surprising. I cannot understand that after such massive inflation, if this was the public's mandate, what is the definition of public welfare & social justice?...I can't understand people saying 'BJP zindabaad' after this."