'Thank you for standing to protect soul of India': Opposition praises AAP sweep

Mamata Banerjee claimed people had rejected BJP and only development will work

Kishor Kejriwal Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (left) with Prashant Kishor | Twitter handle of ANI

Given the intense media focus and bitterly fought poll campaign, it was expected that the results of the Delhi elections were eagerly anticipated by the political firmament.

A host of opposition leaders have jumped to congratulate the Aam Aadmi Party as trends by noon on Tuesday showed the ruling party was headed for another landslide win in the Delhi Assembly polls.

Ace political strategist Prashant Kishor, who was signed on by AAP for its election campaign, took to Twitter to make a cryptic, but incisive, statement. Kishor tweeted, "Thank you Delhi for standing up to protect the soul of India!"

Kishor, who was removed from the JD(U) by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, had been uncharacteristically silent on Twitter since late January. Kishor had been removed from the JD(U) for his frequent statements criticising the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Kishor was spotted at the AAP office with Kejriwal on Tuesday as reports showed the AAP dominating the trends.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, an outspoken critic of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, described the AAP victory as “a harbinger for pro-people and inclusive politics in our country".

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury tweeted about "people of Delhi who have given a befitting reply to BJP’s politics of hate and violence". Yechury referred to provocative speeches by BJP leaders, writing, "Union ministers called for ‘gaalis’ and ‘golis’. People have given their answer." He also argued that "abuses and threats to shoot down the electorate in the face of a serious economic crisis in the country, jobs lost, democracy in tatters, all got a fitting rebuff.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called Kejriwal to extend her wishes. Banerjee, who has had warm ties to Kejriwal, also took a potshot at the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, NRC and NPR. She was quoted by ANI as saying, “People have rejected BJP. Only development will work; CAA, NRC and NPR will be rejected."

DMK chief M.K. Stalin tweeted the "massive mandate" for AAP was "clear vindication that development trumps communal politics". Stalin also demanded “federal rights and regional aspirations must be strengthened in the interest of our country".