Belagavi: While acknowledging the humiliating defeat of the BJP in the elections to the five northern states, the party's state unit president, B.S. Yeddyurappa claimed on Tuesday that it would not impact the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

" Yes, we have been defeated in five states. But according to my assessment it's only a temporary setback for the party. The BJP was in the power for 15 years in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and has been defeated due to anti-incumbency," he argued, adding that the party would face the Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and come back to power at the Centre.





"Despite the party's losses in the Hindi heartland, Mr Modi is still a popular and tall leader of the BJP,'' he asserted.

Responding to the results of the five northern elections, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, however, maintained they were a clear indication of things to come in the Lok Sabha polls due next year. "The BJP has been trying to finish regional parties and even declared a Congress- mukth Bharath. But now, the people have shown it the door and restored democracy in these states. The BJP will be out of power in 2019," he declared.

JD(S) supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda said that the voters of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh had shown political maturity, which was a good development for democracy.

Siddu: winds of change blowing across country

Ex- CM Siddaramaiah while reacting to the poll results said the country is witnessing winds of change. “This is not the time for celebration, instead we should be prepared to fight on ideological grounds”, he said. KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao extended his congratulations to AICC president Rahul Gandhi for leading the Congress party to a stupendous victory in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.