The BJP today headed for a record sixth straight victory in Gujarat assembly polls, and was set to evict the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, widening the party's grip over the country's politics with general elections only 18 months away.


First reactions from senior party leaders in the BJP. This is Rahul Gandhi's first election after he became Congress president. The trends so far indicate a win for the BJP in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.


Goa CM Manohar Parrikar on Rahul Gandhi: "In his opening innings he scored zero."


Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman: Undoubtedly, a major victory. The kind of work which party workers have done right from booth workers level till PM's level, everybody put their best foot forward and both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have recognised the good work going on in the name of development.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh (on Rahul Gandhi): Abhi toh kuch nahi bolunga kyunki woh haal hi mein adhyaksh bane hain lekin 'sar mundwate hi ole pade'. I dont want to comment right now because he has just become the president, but he has been greeted by misfortune in his very first venture.

Trends so far:

Gujarat

BJP: leads 88, win 13
Cong: leads 62, wins 14
Others: leads 3, wins 2

Himachal Pradesh

BJP: leads 40, wins 3
Cong: leads 19, wins 2
Others: leads 3, wins 1


The BJP called the results a vote for development pushed by Prime Minister Narendera Modi, who was the tireless star campaigner in both states.


The Congress took solace in the fact that it bettered its tally in Gujarat, the home turf of Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Still, when the final results are in later today, it will be clear that another Congress-ruled state has slipped from its grasp into BJP control.


It now rules only Karnataka and Punjab among the major states. "This is a vote for development and trust for Narendra Modi," Union minister Jitendra Singh told reporters.