Hat-trick in state elections is guarantee of hat-trick in 2024, says Indian PM Modi

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana election results 2023: The verdict is out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form governments in three Hindi-speaking states in western and central India just few months before he will seek a third consecutive term with General Elections in 2024. 

The BJP has taken decisive leads in western Indian state of Rajasthan, and central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. All of these states together constitute 65 of 543 seats in Lok Sabha or Lower House of the Indian Parliament. The BJP currently holds 63 of these 65 seats, and for the Indian National Congress — the principal opposition party run by India's fourth-generation Nehru-Gandhi family — this loss is morale shattering.

"We bow to the Janata Janardan," PM Modi, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), expressing reverence for the electorate's mandate in these states. 

Suggesting that the win in three states is a sign of BJP securing a third straight term in New Delhi, Modi said: "Some people are even saying that today's hattrick has guaranteed the hattrick in 2024."

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"The results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan indicate that the people of India are firmly with politics of good governance and development, which the Bharatiya Janata Party stands for," Modi added. 

"I thank the people of these states for their unwavering support and assure them that we will keep working tirelessly for their well-being," wrote the Prime Minister on X (formerly Twitter), who led the election campaign for the BJP, and was the primary face against whom the opposition contested.

"A special thanks to the hardworking Party Karyakartas. Each of them is exemplary! They have worked tirelessly and highlighted our development agenda among the people," Modi added.

Speaking from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Modi said: "Today, the resolution of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-sufficient India) has won, the idea of preference for the deprived has won, the idea of the development of states for the development of the country has won."

Congress party's Rahul Gandhi concedes defeat

Rahul Gandhi, the face of India's principal opposition party Congress, conceded defeat in three of the four states. The fourth-generation dynast of India's Nehru-Gandhi family, however, thanked the electorate for electing Congress to power in the southern Telangana state. 

"We humbly accept the mandate of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan - the battle of ideology will continue. I am very thankful to the people of Telangana - we will definitely fulfill the promise of making Prajalu Telangana. Heartfelt thanks to all the workers for their hard work and support," Rahul Gandhi wrote on X. 

In total, elections were held in five states — Rajasthan in western India, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in central India, Telangana in southern India and Mizoram state in northeast — in November to choose lawmakers for their local legislatures. The Election Commission of India released the results for four states on Sunday (Dec 3), while counting in Mizoram will be done on Monday (Dec 4).

(With inputs from agencies)