"People lost interest in the Modi government": Himachal Pradesh Congress chief on by-poll results

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 13 : After winning two out of three seats in Himachal Pradesh by-polls, Congress on Saturday said that the people have trusted them and they did not like three candidates who turned their backs on the party and joined the BJP.
Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh said that people across India have voted in favour of INDIA Bloc in the elections and in Himachal Pradesh, the people have also trusted the Congress government.
"We have performed well on all three seats. People have voted in favour of the INDIA alliance. Congress is leading even in the two seats in Uttarakhand where the BJP is in power. The BJP could not live up to the expectations of the people," she said.
Speaking on the rebel MLAs, Pratibha Singh said that the party always paid attention to their issues but they joined the BJP and became their candidates.
"People did not like this and then they decided that they would make the Congress candidate win. People have now lost interest in the Modi government. Many big promises were made to them and what happened in 10 years is in front of everyone. Women have a huge contribution in this mandate," she added.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that a befitting reply was given by the people of Himachal Pradesh to those who tried to topple the elected government with horse trading and poaching.
"The people of Himachal gave us 40 seats in 2022. People have given a befitting reply to the kind of poaching that happened in state politics in the past. This also gave a message that the people of the state are aware and awake and such poaching will not work," he said.
"Three independent MLAs had no reason to resign. They could have simply allied with the BJP, but even they learned their lesson. I had put in everything for the Dehra constituency. I want to congratulate Kamlesh Thakur for winning the seat. The reason for fielding my wife from Dehra was to make Congress enter Kangra and increase the MLAs of the valley from 9 to 10. All three seats are strongholds of BJP and we have won two of them, this is a big deal," CM Sukhu added.
On Congress candidates winning bypolls in Dehra and Nalagarh seats, Himachal Pradesh Minister, Vikramaditya Singh said that the people have strengthened the party and they will now perform well in the state.
"They were toppling the elected government in other states, they tried to do the same in Himachal Pradesh as well but the people of Himachal Pradesh are educated. This time they have given a clear mandate to Congress and strengthened our government in the state. The Congress party will perform well in the state in the next elections as well," he said.