Gujarat results would have been ‘different’ had Congress aligned with NCP: Praful Patel

According to NCP leader Praful Patel, Congress would have been looking at a different result in Gujarat elections had it joined hands with NCP.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel on Monday said the Gujarat results could have “been different” if the Congress had aligned with his party.

NDA supporters celebrate success in the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections 2017. (PTI)

“If they (Congress) would have formed an alliance with the NCP, then it would have been fruitful, and things could have been different,” Patel told reporters here outside Parliament.

Praful Patel during the Christmas lunch party hosted by Dilip Cherian and his wife Devi Cherian. (Hindustan Times)

He said the Congress’ “weak presence” in rural areas of the state also led to its failure.

“The BJP has presence all over in the rural areas, while the Congress lacks it and thus they could not gain,” he opined.

The ruling BJP was on Monday set to retain power in Gujarat, while the Congress again settled for second place but with an improved showing.