Tough fight from Congress? Jo jeeta wohi sikandar, says Smriti Irani on Gujarat election results

New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday congratulated BJP workers for a successful result in Gujarat assembly elections 2017. While Congress did give a stiff fight, she said that what matters eventually is the political party which emerged at the top of what was a fiercely-fought electoral battle.

(CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS: Gujarat | Himachal Pradesh)

Gujarat has been a stronghold for BJP - a party which has not lost power here in 22 years. Congress did manage to fare better than what many expected. While counting is still underway, Irani said not much should be looked at Congress' performance. "Jo jeeta wohi sikandar. Congress can look for wins in their defeat - it is a democratic right. We fought these elections on issues of development while Congress tried to divide people. It is triumph of development and I would like to congratulate every single party worker and the leadership, " she told Zee News. Iran

Asked about predictions by fellow party members who had said BJP would win 150 seats, Irani said that targets are always set high. "When the leadership sets a target, it is always kept high and it is for party workers to work hard, to strive to achieve those numbers. Our numbers appear good. What matters is that even after 22 years of being in power, BJP has won and it is historic."

Irani also took a dig at Rahul's pre-poll temple visits and said that the final outcome is like a punishment from above. "He tried to cheat God. But God has his ways of punishing. He (Rahul) is welcome to visit any temple - we have no objections. But the final result has come our way," she said.

The good news for BJP was not just from Gujarat but the party even managed to dislodge Congress in the state of Himachal Pradesh.