We have performed much better than the expectations of the BJP.
It was not the Congress which had called for the election. The NDA coalition which called for this election did it for their own interests.
The people of this country are teaching the BJP a lesson.
Contrary to the picture painted by BJP President Venkaiah Naidu, our greatest cause of happiness is in the state of Gujarat.
In Gujarat, the communal forces represented by the BJP have been rebuffed.
Gujarat has shown that there is simply no space for communal forces in India.
That is the biggest lesson of this election.
If the voters have given us their confidence, it is because of our principled stand in politics and our secular plank.
The BJP used Narendra Modi, Vinay Katiyar and the like to whip up communal passions. That is being rejected all over the country. That is one of the greatest lessons emanating from this election.
I must also emphasis that the media had totally written us off during the assembly election. But all credit is due to our party president Sonia Gandhi who was steadfast in her resolve of keeping our secular credentials not only intact but strengthened.
She said the more the BJP leaders attack her on her foreign origin, the more she would keep quiet and let the people decide. This is what has appealed to the people. People have decided now.
Sonia Gandhi is an Indian. This election proves that, despite the character assassination mounted on her by the BJP.
The results prove that the Indian electorate is mature. They understand what is a dream and what is the reality. They understand what is good and what is bad.
The Congress and its allies will get a comfortable majority to form the next government.
This verdict is for the able leadership of Sonia Gandhi. The Congress is here to stay in power for the next five years.
As far as the NDA is concerned, I think Prime Minister Vajpayee heading the coalition has lost his moral right to govern. This is an undeniable fact.
The so-called Indian Shining campaign of the BJP has been exposed completely.
Where is India Shining?
India is not shining, but the BJP has begun to cry these days.
Ambika Soni, Congress general secretary, appeared on the Rediff Election Chat from the Congress party headquarters.
