Bihar win defeat of "arrogance" of BJP: non-NDA parties

The stunning victory of JD(U)-RJD- Congress alliance in Bihar was today hailed by non-NDA parties as a "victory of principles" and defeat of the "arrogance" of BJP with the winning leaders saying the poll verdict would have an impact on national politics.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over NDA's setback, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said he should "step on the accelerator or people will throw him out of the driver's seat" while the Left parties asserted that it underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "personal defeat".
AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was a slap on those "indulging in politics of hate and intolerance" and described the outcome as a referendum on the Centre's performance.

"It was a very difficult fight. On the one hand were moneybags and on the other were principles. It is a victory of principles over moneybags," JD-U chief Sharad Yadav said.
Appearing together before the media after the results, Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad said the poll verdict would have an impact on national politics as it shows that there is yearning for a "good and strong alternative" and a "powerful opposition" to BJP.
They also spoke of plans for forging a strong national alternative as an "effective opposition" to the BJP.

Addressing a press conference after emerging victorious in the Assembly elections, Kumar said efforts to polarise the society have been rejected and described the election as a "milestone" and the result was for "harmony" and against "intolerance".

"The results have made it clear that people want a robust opposition and strong alternative at the national level. A very aggressive campaign was run (by BJP) and attempts were made to create a certain situation. People have rejected it, rejected attempts to polarise. This is a huge mandate and we expect it with all humility," Lalu said.
Rahul Gandhi, who said that the poll verdict signified the defeat of the "divisive agenda of BJP and RSS", asked Modi to either "give up or tone down his arrogance".
"Since Modiji has become Prime Minister, there have been only promises. Start the work. One year has passed and your car is not starting. Press the accelerator. If you fail to press the accelerator, like Bihar, the people of the country will open the door and throw you out," he said.

"This is defeat of not only the BJP, but personal defeat of Modi and his policies. The... Anti-intolerance campaign also could not bring any result," CPI national secretary Atul Anjan said.
CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury observed the verdict ensured beginning of "good days" for people as they rejected alleged communal polarisation by RSS-BJP and its "so-called" development agenda.
"People's acche din have begun, first Delhi, yesterday Kerala and today Bihar."
Kejriwal said the Bihar verdict is historic in many ways.
"The Bihar result is historic in many ways. It has shown that the people of the country do not want politics of hate. It's a slap on the face of those indulging in politics of hate and if they resort to politics of hate, then they will be wiped out. I hope this atmosphere of intolerance will end.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the results of Bihar elections as defeat of "intolerance".