Delhi election result 2020: Here's how BJP, Congress, AAP leaders reacted on results

New Delhi: As the counting of votes for 70 seats of the Delhi Assembly begins on Tuesday (February 11) amid tight security, leaders of AAP, BJP and Congress party leaders gave mixed reactions. Here's what they said:

On Delhi Assembly poll outcome, BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said, “I thank the people of Delhi. I thank our party workers for their hard work, they've done a lot. I accept the mandate of the people of Delhi and congratulate Arvind Kejriwal. I hope he'll perform well as per the expectations of the people.” 

“We couldn't perform well, we'll evaluate this. Sometimes we get discouraged when results are not as per our expectations but I would like to tell our workers to not be disheartened...Compared to 2015 our winning percentage has increased,” Tiwari added.

Arvind Kejriwal said."I thank the people of Delhi for reposing their faith in AAP for the third time. This is the victory of the people who consider me as their son and voted for us. This is the day of Lord Hanuman who has blessed the people of Delhi. We pray that Hanuman Ji keeps showing the right path to us so that we continue to serve people for the next five years," Kejriwal added."  

Manish Sisodia said, "I am happy to become the MLA from Patparganj assembly constituency again. BJP tried to do politics of hate but people of Delhi chose a government that works for the people." 

Raghav Chadha, AAP's winning candidate from Rajinder Nagar, said, "People of Delhi have proven that Delhi's son Arvind Kejriwal isn't a terrorist but a true patriot. He's working for nation-building, the work he's doing is what constitutes patriotism. What BJP is doing, isn't patriotism."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, "I congratulate Arvind Kejriwal and the people of Delhi for AAP's victory in Delhi Polls 2020. People have shown that the country will be run by 'Jan Ki Baat', not 'Mann Ki Baat'. BJP called Kejriwal a terrorist but couldn't defeat him."

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said, "AAP won, bluff and bluster lost. The people of Delhi, who are from all parts of India, have defeated the polarising, divisive and dangerous agenda of the BJP. I salute the people of Delhi who have set an example to other states that will hold their elections in 2021 and 2022."

Kapil Mishra, BJP candidate from Model Town constituency, said, "I congratulate Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal for the excellent victory. BJP has lost the fifth state election in a row. It means we have somewhere failed to connect with the people of Delhi."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "I congratulate Arvind Kejriwal ji. I also thank the people of Delhi who rejected the politics of hate, betrayal, and destruction. After the result of this election, BJP will not remember any Bagh."

BJP MP from East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir said, "We accept #DelhiElectionResults and congratulate Arvind Kejriwal & the people of Delhi. We tried our best but, probably, we could not convince the people of the state. I hope Delhi develops under the chief ministership of Arvind Kejriwal."

BJP MP Parvesh Verma said, "I accept the result. We will work hard and give a better performance in the next elections. If this election would have been on Education and Development, then Education Minister (Manish Sisodia) would not have been trailing."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I have congratulated Arvind Kejriwal. People have rejected BJP. Only development will work, CAA, NRC and NPR will be rejected."

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "I congratulate Arvind Kejriwal. The mandate given by the people of Delhi has shown that they will vote on work and development."

Former MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "There are several seats wherein the difference between BJP and AAP is less than 1,000 votes. BJP workers are excited. The vote share of BJP being shown is increasing by about 10%."

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted, "Congratulations to @ArvindKejriwal and @AamAadmiParty on a resounding victory in Delhi elections. Let this victory be a harbinger for pro-people and inclusive politics in our country." 

BJP MP from East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir said, "We accept #DelhiElectionResults and congratulate Arvind Kejriwal and the people of Delhi. We tried our best but, probably, we could not convince the people of the state. I hope Delhi develops under the chief ministership of Arvind Kejriwal."

MK's MK Stalin took to twitter to congratulate Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in Delhi Assembly election saying "I congratulate @ArvindKejriwal and @AamAadmiParty for forming government yet again in Delhi, on a massive mandate. This is clear vindication that development trumps communal politics. Federal rights and regional aspirations must be strengthened in the interest of our country."

Delhi Congress Chief Subhash Chopra said, "I take responsibility for the party's performance, we will analyse the factors behind this. The reason for the drop in our vote percentage is due to politics of polarization by both BJP and AAP."

"People of Delhi have accepted Arvind Kejriwal as their son," says AAP's MP Sanjay Singh.

"We were already aware of it. The question is - what happened to BJP which was making big claims?" said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath when quizzed about his party's performance in Delhi Assembly Election 2020.

AP candidate from Model Town, Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, who is leading over BJP's Kapil Mishra, said, "I thank everyone who has expressed their confidence in Arvind Kejriwal. People want a govt that takes care of its citizens. People of Delhi have voted for development; I thank them."

Congress MP AR Chowdhury said, "Everyone knew that Aam Aadmi Party will return to power for the third time. Congress's defeat will not send a good message. The victory of AAP against the Bharatiya Janata Party & its communal agenda is significant."

Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari said, "Trends indicate that there is a gap between AAP-BJP, but there is still time. We are hopeful. Whatever the outcome, being the state Chief I am responsible." 

AAP's Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "People of Delhi have accepted our governance model. At the counting centre, right now, I can see I am getting double the votes as compared to the BJP candidate."

"Wait for the final result, we are going to register a massive win," says Sanjay Singh, AAP MP on early trends.

Ahead of counting, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari told reporters, "I am not nervous. I am confident that it will be a good day for BJP. We are coming to power in Delhi today. Do not be surprised if we win 55 seats." 

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel said, "We are assured that BJP government will be formed in Delhi with a majority." 

In the 2015 assembly poll, the AAP had won 67 seats, the BJP 3, while Congress failed to open its account. 

In Assembly election 2020, AAP hopes for a second consecutive term, and the BJP is optimistic of gaining majority by cashing in on the popularity of Prime Minister Modi, while the Congress is hoping for a revival. 

Notably, Congress was in power for 15 years at a stretch in Delhi under the leadership of former Chief Minister late Sheila Dixit till the party lost to AAP in 2015 Assembly polls.