Sukhbir Singh Badal says corruption, price rise routed Congress in polls

New Delhi, Mar 10 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said that the corruption and price rice were the main reasons for Congress defeat in assembly polls.

"Because of price rise, corruption, people are removing Congress from whole of the country. It's a message from the people of our country to Congress," Badal told media here.

Talking a dig at Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, Badal said: "Wherever Rahul goes Congress loses. So, I think we, and NDA should request him to tour all over the country. It is beneficial for us."

Badal further said SAD's victory in Punjab is because there has been development in the state.

"Because of development, Akali Dal again formed the Government," he added.

When asked who will be next the chief minister, Sukhbir Badal said: "Prakash Singh Badal is the chief minister and he will be the chief minister of Punjab.

"As president of my party, I have announced that Shri Parkash Singh Badal will continue as the chief minister. He served Punjab well," he added.

The SAD-BJP combine returned to power by defying the expected anti-incumbency factor. The SAD-BJP combine won 68 of the 117 seats with the SAD securing 56 seats and the BJP 12 seats. The Congress won 46 seats, while others won three.

The elections in Uttar Pradesh turned out to be a big disappointment for Congress, where it finished fourth despite Rahul Gandhi himself leading the party from the front. It failed to win power in Punjab, lost power in Goa and was running for a photo finish with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttarakhand. A win in Manipur was the only silver lining in an otherwise gloomy result for it.

The Congress party's drubbing is also a blow to the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reducing his scope to re-launch reforms and reverse a slowdown in economic growth. (ANI)