AAP, Congress hail BJP's historic win

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for the "historic" win of the NDA in the Lok Sabha election. Modi led the Bharatiya Janata Party towards what is certain to be a spectacular victory for a second term in office, as his message of nationalism, security, Hindu pride and a New India was wholeheartedly embraced by voters across large swathes of the country.

"I congratulate Sh Narendra Modi for this historic win and look forward to working together for the betterment of the people of Delhi (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. Kejriwal has been a vocal critic of Modi and has lashed out at him on several occasions during the election campaign, accusing him of indulging in politics of hatred. The BJP is also set for an astounding victory in Delhi, where it is leading in all the seven seats.

Atishi congratulates Gambhir; extends help Aam Aadmi Party's East Delhi candidate Atishi on Thursday congratulated BJP's Gautam Gambhir for winning the Lok Sabha seat and extended help and collaboration for the betterment of East Delhi.

In a series of tweets, she also thanked East Delhi people for the support. "Congratulations to Gautam Gambhir! People of East Delhi have reposed their trust in you. I will always be available for help and collaboration for the betterment of East Delhi.

All the best! "And many thanks to the people of East Delhi. Have been overwhelmed by the love and affection I have gotten here. I will always be available for you and shall continue my work here for a safer, more educated and developed East Delhi," she said.

She also thanked the volunteers of the AAP "who gave their heart and soul to the campaign" and those who contributed in her crowdfunding. "All of you are amazing! It gives me a great sense of hope that so many people from different walks have life have come together to bring change in this country..."

While Gambhir scored 6,95,109 (55.33 per cent) votes, Congress's Arvinder Singh Lovely got 3,04,718 (24.25 per cent) votes and Atishi 2,19,156 (17.44 per cent) votes, as the counting is still underway. Very disappointing, we should have won: Sheila Dikshit Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit on Thursday conceded her party's defeat in Lok Sabha polls in the national capital, terming the loss "very disappointing", and congratulated the BJP for its spectacular performance.

BJP candidates were leading over their rivals on all the seven seats in Delhi by margins ranging from 1-5 lakh votes. Final results are expected later tonight. "It is very disappointing, we should have won," she told PTI.

Dikshit, who herself was trailing by over 3.63 lakh votes against her rival and Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari in North East Delhi constituency, expressed satisfaction that the Congress pushed the Aam Aadmi Party to the third place on most seats.

She said Delhi Congress leaders will meet in coming days and discuss steps needed in view of her party's dismal performance in the election. Congress, which trailed behind AAP in Delhi in elections since 2014, took consolation in the fact that its candidates on four seats managed to force Arvind Kejriwal-led party to the third place in this poll.

"That is a very good thing, we welcome it," she said. Congress candidates on four seats — North East Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi and West Delhi — were trailing behind BJP. However, AAP candidates on South Delhi and West Delhi were the nearest rivals of BJP candidates.