Gujarat assembly election 2017 results: BJP managed face saving win, but it’s a moral defeat for them, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday termed the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat as a “face-saving win”. Hitting out at the leading party, the Trinamool Congress chief said that the verdict shows “a moral defeat” for the BJP.

Taking to Twitter, Mamata congratulated the people of Gujarat for their “very balanced verdict at this hour”.

She tweeted, “I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour. It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP. Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019.”

This came even as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the results of Gujarat Assembly elections showed the need of the opposition parties coming together to form a joint front to take on Narendra Modi-led BJP.

Owaisi conceded that the BJP was working like a machine in the country, calling for a joint front against the ruling party. “Be it Akhilesh Yadav, or Asaduddin Owaisi, or Mamata Banerjee, no one can defeat the BJP being separate. We need united front against the BJP to defeat it,” said Owaisi.

As per the trends and results by 4.20 pm, the BJP was leading on 100 seats while the Congress on 79.