Taking note of the dismal Congress performance in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, an introspective Left blamed the ‘‘secular-minded friend’’ for failing to provide an alternative agenda of development in the states.

Though the CPIM politburo preferred to base its analysis on the negative implication of the BJP’s swipe in the Hindi-belt, party general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet sounded a note of caution. ‘‘It is obvious Sonia Gandhi alone cannot help them win elections and the Congress leaders have to come above their internal squabble for campaigns. Solo campaigns spoilt chances even in areas where they had mass support.’’

Not hiding his disappointment with the Congress, especially in Rajasthan, Surjeet said: ‘‘Why do you want to demoralise the Congress even further? The results in some of the states was expected. But in Rajasthan, the BJP utilised casteism, the Jat factor and triangular contests to its favour while the Congress remained bogged down in internal trouble.’’

The CPIM politburo said in a statement: ‘‘Fighting the BJP successfully cannot be accomplished by adopting economic policies which go against the working people, fostering misrule and at times competing with the BJP on a communal agenda.’’

What bothers the Left most is the fact that the BJP managed to ride the anti-incumbency wave while basing its campaign entirely on the development agenda and not on the communal card. A complacent Congress which did not fight ‘‘the elections courageously presenting a consistent secular line’’ is what the CPI found went against the Congress in these states.

‘‘While the BJP concentrated on development, the Congress chief ministers played soft-Hinduvta! They simply lacked an aggressive ideological plank,’’ CPI national secretary D. Raja said.

Wiggling out of what it means to the coming Left-Congress alliance in the Andhra Pradesh elections, Raja said: ‘‘There is no alliance in Andhra Pradesh, we will fight it on anti-TDP, anti-BJP plank. In these states MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajathan, the Left does not have much of a presence. It does not directly have any impact on us.’’

However, it is the small Left that is feeling smug. Displaying a ‘‘didn’t-we-tell-you’’ look, RSP MP Abani Roy said: ‘‘It is for those who love to call themselves ‘Left’ to realise that the Congress is no alternative. It is a party which has no image.’’

What do you think Hema Maliniji? Should the House be adjourned for the purpose to allow members to keep themselves abreast of election news?
— Vice-President and RS Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to Hema Malini

I did fail to read the pulse of people. The feedback we got went wrong…I had said if defeated I will not accept any party post for the next 10 years. I stand by it. I will work as an ordinary party worker and work for bringing it to power in Delhi.
— MP Chief Minister Digvijay Singh

It is a historic victory with the party getting more than two-thirds in Madhya Pradesh… And never in the history of Rajasthan since the days of Jana Sangh have we ever got such a majority.
— BJP chief M. Venkaiah Naidu

As the prabhari mantri for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, I accept responsibility for the defeat. As far as the issue of resignation is concerned, it is between me and my party president who appointed me.
— Congress general secretary Ambika Soni

Hum ko bhi aisi asha nahi thi. Hum logon ne socha tha two-two ayega We didn’t expect this either. We thought it will be a 2:2.
— PM A.B. Vajpayee

The party would have to pull up its socks.
— Congress president

Sonia GandhiIt is a victory for the charisma of Prime Minister Vajpayee.
— DMK president, M. Karunanidhi

She Uma Bharati represented the backward class and could galvanise the poor and women in the state.
— BJP leader Arun Jaitley

I am not in the race for chief ministership.
— Ex-Union minister Dilip Singh Judeo

The BJP won in three states on the basis of negative votes due to non-performance of Congress governments.
— Senior CPI leader Manju Kumar Mazumdar

The Congress defeat was largely due to the unacceptability of Sonia Gandhi as a leader… She must quit politics.
— Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy

I feel very happy with the results. I wish they Congress realise that their innings is over.
— Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani

It is basically a victory of Hindutva started by Narendra Modi in Gujarat and expanded by the Hindutva symbols of Uma Bharti, Dilip Singh Judeo and Vasundhara Raje.
— VHP leader Pravin Togadia

I have not done anything wrong and am not afraid of anything. My life is like an open book.
— Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi

The election results have not come as a surprise to us. We see the results mostly as the product of the anti-incumbency factor….We hold nobody responsible for the defeat.
— Congress spokesperson S. Jaipal Reddy

I promise to bring back the state to light from darkness.
— Rajasthan chief ministerial candidate Vasundhara Raje Scindia