As the trends indicated that the Congress has edged past the BJP in Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the opposition party Tuesday said the "money power" of the BJP stood defeated by the "people's power".
As per the latest poll count, Congress is leading in BJP-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while the tussle between the two parties is going down to the wire in Madhya Pradesh.
"I congratulate (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi on the behalf of the Maharashtra Congress. Because of his leadership, we have defeated the BJP in three states. This is a victory of 'Jan Shakti' (people's power) over 'dhan shakti' (money power). In the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, BJP's "gharwapsi" (defeat) is certain", Maharashtra Congress unit president Ashok Chavan told reporters.
"The Congress will return to power in 2019. 'Modji jaanewale hai, Rahulji anewale hai'(Modi's era is over. New era belongs to Rahul Gandhi)", he added.
Chavan exuded confidence that the momentum in favour of Congress would continue in Lok Sabha elections that are due in May next year and the Maharashtra assembly polls in October.
"This trend will continue. We will see it in Maharashtra soon. The Devendra Fadnavis government will fall", he claimed.
"Modi, Machine and Money have not worked in the elections. The Modi wave has faded. No impact of Modi's charisma was seen anywhere in the polls", said Chavan.
Responding to a query on efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in view of Congress's allegations of tampering in just-concluded polls, Chavan said the malpractice was avoided this time because the party workers kept 24-hour vigil.
When asked about why he thought the Congress gained ground in assembly elections, Chavan said, "inflation, corruption, unemployment and crimes against Dalits and women have led to the failure of the BJP in all five states".
"The BJP government used its power to transfer benefit only to a select industrialists. Now, the people have rejected this form of governance", he said.
"This is a victory of democracy over dictatorship, of politics of brotherhood over the politics of hatred. With the support of farmers and labourers, this anti-people BJP government stood defeated", the senior Congress leader said.
He said the poll outcome is a clear verdict against demonetisation.
"Resignation given by the RBI Governor yesterday and the collapse of the Sensex today is an indicator of how the impact of the BJP's bad governance is being seen everywhere", Chavan said.
Replying to questions about the Congress not being able to forge pre-poll alliances in the states which went to polls recently, Chavan said local alliances are decided at a local level.
"Some alliances may not have worked out before the polls for several reasons. The Congress leadership is open to post-poll alliances wherever necessary. The SP, BSP and some Congress rebels can be brought together after consulting the local leadership", he said.
He said the BJP raised the Ram Mandir issue by invoking Lord Ram in their bid to win polls.
"But this has had no impact on the people. The people have realised that this is just a poll propaganda", he said.
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan said the voting was a verdict against the tall promises made by Modi.
"He had poured promises and shown dreams to the people. That illusion is over as the results have only affirmed it. All these victories are of the Congress. However, in Telangana the results were not as desired", he said.
He expressed confidence of the Congress forming government in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Chavan said the BJP might have to rethink about Modi ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
"The Shiv Sena will have to seriously think about joining forces with the BJP", he said.
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