Neither Patidar, nor GST responsible for lesser seats in Gujarat: BJP chief

New Delhi, Dec 18: Neither the twin economic decisions - GST and noteban nor Patidar movement could be broadly attributed for BJP getting lesser number of seats in Gujarat, party chief Amit Shah said on Monday and asserted that the mandate in the western state and Himachal Pradesh show that the party will certainly win 2019 general elections.

"2019 mein BJP ka jeetna tay hae (Our victory in 2019 is inevitable)," Mr Shah told reporters even as trends of counting and results from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief's home state showed that the saffron party's tally would see a shortfall of around 15 seats - as against the 2012 outcome. 
He said the mandate in these states show Indian politics is moving towards a "new era" wherein the three 'nasurs (canker)' of politics -- dynasty, appeasement and casteism should be fought.
"People of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have shown that the mandate was in that direction," he said.
"The kind of low level campaign carried out by Congress, I have not seen in my political career," Mr Shah said. 
Dismissing suggestions that Patidar movement and cotton growers' distress must have cost BJP heavily in Saurashtra region, he said, such an analogy was erroneous.
"Like wins, even losses have several factors. All of these will be analysed at party meeting. The point you are trying to make (Patidar movement and Hardik Patel factor) ....in these two places Surat and Mahesana, we could brave the issue and win with a large margin".
According to trends, it appears the BJP could brave through the grievances of traders in textile hub of Surat and could possibly retain most of the seats where it faced significant protest in the run up to the polls.
Mr Shah insisted that the eight per cent difference in vote share is no small achievement. To a question whether he would attribute party's loss of seats either to Rahul Gandhi factor or the players like Hardik and Alpesh, the BJP president said, "If one reason should be blamed for less seats is due to the low level campaign by Congress and also for instigating the caste politics".
Skirting direct reply on whether Patidar movement unleashed under the leadership of Hardik Patel had cost BJP dearly in many seats, Mr Shah said, "I will focus on two points. We are increasing the vote share and also forming our government in Gujarat".
He further said BJP's win for 6th consecutive term in Gujarat was by itself a "great achievement" as it came braving the onslaught of an aggressive opposition campaign and the victory in Himachal with two-third majority suggests "it was a victory for our struggle against corruption" in the northern state. UNI