Bharatiya Janata Party president Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday described his party's victory in Gujarat as a triumph of nationalist forces.

Speaking to newsmen at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Naidu said that the people of Gujarat have given a befitting reply to those who were defaming Gujaratis not only in India, but also abroad.

"I congratulate Narendra Modi, the state leadership, and all BJP workers in Gujarat for registering a brilliant victory over the Congress party," he said.

Naidu said the people of Gujarat voted for the BJP on two counts -- one for the development work done by the BJP government in the state and second because they felt that only the BJP government could protect them from terrorist violence.

" I have called a meeting of the national executive on December 22 and 23 to discuss the results of the Gujarat election and formulate an action plan for elections to other state assemblies. I would like to point out that we have not only won in Gujarat but also in Rajasthan. I am told that the party has won all three seats in Rajasthan, for which by-polls were held," he said.

Party general secretary Arun Jaitley said the the BJP victories in Gujarat and Rajasthan indicate that the reverse count for the Ashok Gahlot government [in Rajasthan] has begun.

"I would say that the reverse count for not only Rajasthan, but also for Madhya Pradesh government has begun," he said.

BJP workers in Delhi were in a party mood as soon as information of the party's victory in Gujarat began filtering in. Crackers were brust each time a major BJP leader entered the party office at 11, Ashoka Road.

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