Karnataka election victory shows BJP not confined to Hindi-speaking states: Modi

No barrier between the people of Karnataka and me, says Modi after election victory.

Updated on: May 15, 2018, 21:14:06 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By HT Correspondent

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The BJP’s victory in Karnataka is “unprecedented” because it busts the perception that the party belongs to the Hindi-speaking parts of the country, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally ahead of the Karnataka state assembly elections in Bengaluru. (REUTERS)

“They said the BJP is a party of Hindi-speaking states. Are Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, the Northeastern states Hindi-speaking states? No, the BJP represents India and our proud diversity,” he said in Delhi after his party emerged as the largest party in the counting of votes but fell short of a majority in the assembly.

“There was no barrier between the people of Karnataka and me. I will always cherish the affection I received from the people of Karnataka,” said Modi in a speech at the party headquaters.

Karnataka is the only southern state the party has ever held power in. After falling out with N Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh, the party is working to form a government in Karnataka to regain a gateway to its southern ambitions.

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