AMIT SHAH

AMN /New Delhi

Neither the twin economic decisions – GST and noteban nor Patidar movement could be broadly attributed for BJP getting lesser number of seats in Gujarat, party chief Amit Shah said on Monday and asserted that the mandate in the western state and Himachal Pradesh show that the party will certainly win 2019 general elections.

“2019 mein BJP ka jeetna tay hae (Our victory in 2019 is inevitable),” Mr Shah told reporters even as trends of counting and results from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief’s home state showed that the saffron party’s tally would see a shortfall of around 15 seats – as against the 2012 outcome.

He said the mandate in these states show Indian politics is moving towards a “new era” wherein the three ‘nasurs (canker)’ of politics — dynasty, appeasement and casteism should be fought.