UP poll results below expectations for BJP: Gadkari

BJP today said the results of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections fell below its expectations even as the party geared itself to form governments in three other states.

"We are in a position to form governments in the three states of Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand...I am confident that this result will give strength to the BJP," party president Nitin Gadkari told reporters here.

On the party's failure in Uttar Pradesh, Gadkari said there was polarisation of votes between the SP and BSP.

"BJP did not get the support we expected," he said, adding that the people of Uttar Pradesh wanted to change the BSP government and so supported the Samajwadi Party.

He congratulated Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the historic victory, as a government has been retained for the first time in the history of the state.

"We have created history in Punjab where for the first time the government has been retained," Gadkari said while lauding Badal for the performance of the SAD-BJP combine.

He said the BJP was forming government in Goa too, and expressed confidence that the party would return to power in Uttarakhand.

"It's a big victory for us in Goa. BJP was being blamed for being against the minorities. This time Catholic Christians also voted us."

Refraining to make a comment on the leadership of the Congress campaign in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP chief said the results have given a "big shock" to the Congress.