Delhi's result is a setback to us: Arun Jaitley

Though it was not an official assignment, BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley took over the responsibility of preparing the party's election strategy for Delhi.

Though it was not an official assignment, BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley took over the responsibility of preparing the party's election strategy for Delhi.

Party insiders credit Jaitley for selecting BJP's campaign tagline "Mehengi Padi Congress". Speaking to reporters on Monday, soon after the results were declared, Jaitley said he couldn't pinpoint one single reason for the party's poor performance in Delhi.

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Q) Is the result unexpected?

A) Yes. Delhi's result is a setback to us. We were expecting a better performance. I accept responsibility for the party's defeat in Delhi.

Q) What went wrong?

A) There is not one but a basket of several issues responsible for our defeat. Off hand it is very difficult to say. We will have to sit and analyze what went wrong for the party in the Capital despite full preparations. One thing is clear though that issues that matter during Lok Sabha elections do not work in state elections.

Q) Do you think the terror factor failed to strike a chord with the voters?

A) It is too simplistic an analysis to say that terrorism did not strike a chord. Terrorism is and will continue to be an important issue that concern the citizens. As I have said it's not one issue. Each of the issues - be it terrorism or inflation - have played a role. No one issue can be blamed for our defeat.

Q) Did the choice of V.K. Malhotra as the chief ministerial candidate boomerang on the party? Do you think a young CM candidate would have turned the tide in BJP's favour?

A) No election is won or lost over one leader. A lot of other factors including campaign strategy, selection of candidates, etc., play a role.