Here are some reactions by political leaders to the five-state election verdict.
The BJP won in Uttar Pradesh with two-thirds majority. Congratulations to all party workers, (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, (BJP's UP chief) Keshav Prasad Maurya and people of Uttar Pradesh. This win is about BJP's ideology and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welfare schemes for poor and people's trust in developmental governance.
-- Amit Shah (BJP president)
People have outrightly rejected the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance. The people of Uttar Pradesh have voted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda of development. The Centre's 'vikas yojana' schemes for the people, BJP president Amit Shah's election strategy and the hard work of party members has paid off today.
-- Yogi Adityanath (BJP)
This is a big victory. BJP has reached new heights in Uttarkhand and Uttar Pradesh and changed the political picture of the country.
-- Rajnath Singh (BJP)
The belief of the people of Punjab has emerged victorious. This is the start of the Congress' revival. We will ensure that we live up to all expectations. Politics is not a business. The previous government considered Punjab's wealth as their own and looted our treasures. Our intentions are very clear. We have no hidden motives. We only want Punjab to progress as a state. We will not let down our party workers or the people of Punjab in this regard. Congress will spread from here. Punjab results a defeat of Akali Dal's arrogance.
-- Navjot Singh Sidhu (Congress)
In a nutshell there is no leader today with a pan India acceptability who can take on Modi and the BJP in 2019. At this rate we might as well forget 2019 and start planning/ hoping for 2024. How the hell did almost all the experts/analysts miss this wave in UP? It's a tsunami not a ripple in a small pond. Punjab, Goa and Manipur would certainly suggest that the BJP isn't unbeatable but strategy needs to shift from criticism to positive alternate. I have said this before and I will say it again the voter needs to be given an alternative agenda that is based on what we will do better. Criticising the prime minister 'will only take us so far' and that the voter needs to know there is an option available to them that has a clear positive roadmap.
-- Omar Abdullah, National Conference
Today nation is standing with PM Modi. This is the victory of people of UP and Uttarakhand.
-- Piyush Goyal (BJP)
People are showing confidence and trusting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The people are voting for the development. They are voting for the good work not on the basis of caste and religion. We have received tremendous support from youth and women voters.
-- Prakash Javadekar (BJP)
UP is a bad loss, it hurts...I agree that, in UP, we need fundamental restructuring thinking for the Congress as a whole. These have to be hard, tough decisions about strategy.
-- Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Congress)
This clearly indicates that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility, popularity, his work for poor, youth, women, backward class, farmers have reached among the people. People have faith on him. People are losing interest in politics of corruption and power.
-- Nalin Kohli (BJP)
One thing is very clear that Prime Minister has always worked for the empowerment of the poor. People have put a stamp on the efforts made by our Prime Minister. There is atmosphere of development and faith in the nation and soon we will form government in the state.
-- Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (BJP)
This victory is a victory to change Uttar Pradesh, to strengthen the society and to join all the sections of the society. It's a victory to change the law and order state in Uttar Pradesh, which has been deteriorated in the last five years; against corruption and all the elements which are against the development of the state. Today, I am very proud of Prime Minister Modi. I thank all the people, who have put in their trust in him and the BJP. I want to thank and congratulate Amit Shah and all the party workers, who have worked day and night for this day.
-- Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)
A big change has to be brought in Uttar Pradesh. The grand old party (Congress) has indulged in corruption to such an extent that the people will completely reject them in future as well.
-- Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (BJP)
"Akhilesh Yadav brought about development in the state. In order to strengthen that development, the Congress allied with the Samajwadi Party. The people of Uttar Pradesh today have kept votebank politics above development. Just like they did nothing at the Centre for three years, they are going to do nothing in UP as well. The people will realise their mistakes then.
-- Rajeev Shukla (Congress)
We accept people's mandate. All volunteers worked hard. Our struggle will continue
-- Arvind Kejriwal (Aam Aadmi Party)
