Akali Leader Blames 'Negative Campaign' For Delhi Loss

New Delhi:

A leader of Shiromani Akali Dal who lost the Delhi polls, has hit out at alliance partner BJP for what he called a "negative campaign" by several BJP leaders, including Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who was SAD's sitting candidate from Rajouri Garden, told NDTV while several factors were responsible for the dismal performance, statements by "sadhus and sants, including Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti" had "hit hard" both BJP and its alliance partner.

"I can say for me, it did irreparable damage, with the majority of the Muslim vote melting away after the (Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti's) statement," said Mr Sirsa, who lost to Aam Aadmi Party's Jarnail Singh.

In the run-up to the Delhi elections, Ms Jyoti's speech at a rally had included offensive remarks about minorities. Following vociferous protests by the opposition, she had apologised to Parliament on the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Sirsa said there was also a disconnect between decisions made by senior BJP leaders and the ground reality. Senior BJP leaders "took different decisions and no inputs were sought from party workers," he said.

The BJP has decided to speak to all the candidates as part of its exercise to analyse what went wrong in the elections. The party's Parliamentary board is expected to meet on Thursday to focus on the debacle.

Today, party veteran Jagdish Mukhi, who lost his Janakpuri seat, considered a stronghold, told NDTV that several factors did not work in the BJP's favour.  

"The party has to introspect at the highest level," Mr Mukhi said. Asked if Kiran Bedi should have been brought in earlier into the campaign, he said, "discussion pays, consultation pays and timely decision pays".