New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today praised the party's showing in Karnataka polls, saying the result was a rejection of BJP's idealogy and suggested the same would be repeated in the Lok Sabha elections as well.
Dr Singh praised the efforts of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, saying he took a "leading role" in the campaigning for the polls held on Sunday last.
"It is a clear result against the ideology of the BJP which has been ruling in the state of Karnataka," the PM told reporters outside Parliament House as results from Karnataka polls showed that Congress was well on its way towards achieving a majority.
Replying to a question on how this win will influence the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, "The people of the country know what is what and they will reject the BJP ideology as the result in Karnataka shows." He congratulated Congress workers in Karnataka for the outcome.
Sonia Gandhi said, "I am very happy with the victory in Karnataka. It was a joint effort."
Expressing confidence that Congress will get absolute majority in Karnataka, Finance Minister P Chidambaram promised that there will be a stable, progressive and hardworking government in the state for next five years.
The Congress leader also ruled out early general elections, saying the UPA government has a lot of work to complete.