"Bye-poll results strong rebuke to divisive politics": KC Venugopal

New Delhi [India], July 13 : Congress leader KC Venugopal on Saturday targeted the BJP and said that the results of the bye-elections in the country reflects resounding victory for democracy and a strong rebuke to BJP's divisive politics.
In a statement issued by the party's General Secretary (Organisation), Venugopal said, "Today's by-poll results stand as a resounding victory for democracy and a strong rebuke to the BJP's divisive politics. Out of the 13 seats contested across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, the INDIA alliance has secured an impressive 10 seats demonstrating the rejection of the BJP's anti-people, anti-youth policies, and divisive politics."
Stepping up his attacks on the BJP, he said, "Even amidst their attempts to undermine our democracy, the truth and the will of the people have prevailed. Today's results are a tight slap on the BJP's face, showcasing the public's strong disapproval of their pro-rich, dictatorial politics."
He added, "The defeat of those who abandoned our cause for the BJP in Himachal and Uttarakhand underscores the rejection of opportunism over principled governance. Not only that, they used all their dirty tricks departments, be it ED or CBI, to intimidate our leaders. The people, however, rejected this dangerous politics resoundingly."
Elaborating on the number of seats won by the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, Venugopal said, "In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress party has won two out of the three seats in Dehra and Nalagarh, reclaiming our position with a total of 40 seats. This triumph is a testament to the unwavering faith of the people of Himachal who have rejected the BJP's politics of horse trading and defections."
The Congress leader in his statement also talked about the results in Uttarakhand and said that the party in the state emerged victorious in both Badrinath and Mangalur. "This significant win sends a clear message that the misuse of religion for political gains, as seen in Ayodhya and now in Badrinath, will not be endorsed by the electorate," Venugopal said.
Asserting that the results of bye-elections are not just a political victory; but a triumph for democracy and constitutional values, he added, "They reaffirm the people's commitment to governance that prioritizes welfare and inclusivity over divisive tactics and power grabs. As we move forward, the Congress Party reaffirms its commitment to a pro-people agenda and upholding democratic values."
He added, "We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the electorate and pledge to continue serving with renewed vigour for the remainder of our term and in all future elections."
The Congress leader also expressed his gratitude towards other party leaders and said, "This would not have been possible without the guidance of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, LOP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi ji, as well as the hard work of the respective Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) leaders and candidates who dedicatedly worked for this victory."
The counting of votes for the 13 legislative assembly seats spread across seven states began on Saturday morning.
Polling took place on July 10 for the assembly seats in Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.
The Election Commission held the by-elections in one seat of Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, two seats of Uttarakhand, three seats of Himachal Pradesh, and four seats of Uttarakhand.
The constituencies included Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda, and Maniktala in West Bengal; Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh; Badrinath and Manglaur in Uttarakhand; Jalandhar West in Punjab; Rupauli in Bihar; Vikravandi in Tamil Nadu; and Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh.