Congress upbeat over Karnataka results

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leaders in the state are upbeat over the Karnataka state election results as they view it is a prelude to the ensuing Lok Sabha election.
Senior Congress leader A K Antony said, "It is a sign of what is in store for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The Karnataka election result is an indication that the Congress is coming back to winning ways.It is also a message for the Congress in Kerala. If we stand together, we can defeat the fascist forces."
"The Congress succeeded in uniting all the secular forces and this should be the focus for the Lok Sabha elections also. The Congress is already at the forefront of bringing together all the secular forces before the LS polls. This result has given a strong boost for all the secular political parties that if they stand united they can defeat the BJP," Antony said.
KPCC president K Sudhakaran said that the Modi magic has started declining in the country. "Despite all the road shows and series of political meetings carried out by Modi, it could not create any impact among the voters in Karnataka,'' he said. The Karnataka victory is also a victory for Kerala as all leaders from the state have been actively involved in the campaigning there. The Malayalis in Karnataka had rallied behind Congress. The result is also an indication that if we stand together, we can defeat anyone in the election, he said.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the victory of the Congress is not limited to Karnataka alone. "The effects of this results will be reflected in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections too. This should be seen as a sentiment of the people against the decision of Narendra Modi government to disqualify Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha," he said.
Rahul's yatra had huge impact: Ramesh
The results of Karnataka election show that Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra created a huge impact on the public, said senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala. "Karnataka has given the answer to the question 'who is there to take on Modi'. The people have said that it is Rahul Gandhi who should take on Modi in 2024," said Ramesh.
Chennithala also alleged of undercurrents between the CPM state secretary M V Govindan and BJP. "M V Govindan and his party does not want Congress to come to power and also does not want the secular forces to unite. It is due to this undercurrent between CPM and BJP that the Lavalin case was adjourned 34 times," he said.
"The battle hereafter should be for the progress of secular parties in the country under the leadership of the Congress party. All secular parties will be held together to win the 2024 elections. People are looking up to Congress to revive the country," he said.
Kalpetta MLA T Siddique, who was part of the Congress election campaign in Karnataka, said that the victory in Kerala was the result of flawless functioning of the party machinery. He said that Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, who held the party together in Karnataka, made key interventions at all stages. He said that Venugopal called him up at 3am to direct him to take charge in the campaigning at Shimoga.
IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said that the Karnataka results were a huge blow to the BJP's ideology that everything can be achieved by playing the communal card. He said that the election victory has increased the relevance of secular politics. He added that when other Muslim minority parties tried to split Congress votes, Muslim League opposed this and tried to make the democratic alliance win.
(With inputs from Kottayam & Kochi)