As votes were being counted on Thursday and results started trickling in, scores of congratulatory messages started trickling in from political parties and leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi got the ball rolling with a series of tweets.
Had a telephone conversation with Jayalalithaa ji and congratulated her on her victory. Also conveyed my best wishes to her. @AIADMKOfficial
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
Spoken to @MamataOfficial ji & congratulated her on the impressive victory. My best wishes to her as she begins her 2nd term.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
Heartiest congratulations to Assam BJP Karyakartas & leaders for the exceptional win. This win is historic by all standards. Phenomenal!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
Across India, people are placing their faith in BJP & see it as the party that can usher in all-round & inclusive development. @BJP4India
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
Jayalalitha, storming to power for a second five-year term, responded.
Promises made in manifesto will be fulfilled, will continuously strive towards making TN 1st in all spheres of development - Amma.
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) May 19, 2016
I convey my heartiest thanks to voters who have reaffirmed their faith on me and given me another chance - Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) May 19, 2016
CPI-M victory in Kerala continued the anti-incumbency trend followed by the southern state.
#KallakiKerala, Well done Kerala!#LDFSweepsKerala pic.twitter.com/ixT16GFLQq
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) May 19, 2016
It was a dismal day for the Congress party, losing Kerala and Assam and not faring much better in West Bengal either. Rahul Gandhi accepted defeat.
We accept the verdict of people with humility. My best wishes to the parties that have won the elections
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2016
I take this opportunity to thank every Congress worker and leader and our allies for their effort during these elections
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2016
We will work harder till we win the confidence & trust of people
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2016
The BJP couldn’t make any headway in three out of four states, but it did register an impressive performance in Assam. The party’s chief ministerial candidate in Assam Sarbananda Sonowal said, “People have accepted our winning combination. This is a great victory. People of Assam have been looking for such a combination. Our main target is to protect the interests of bonafide Indian citizens, whether they are Hindu or Muslims it doesn’t matter. The big issue is infiltration, that is a national issue; the sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border…many more issues like employment are there.”
The AIUDF and Congress both lost big in Assam, and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal blamed Congress leadership for the defeat.
Want to congratulate BJP. We have lost because of Congress party: Badruddin Ajmal, AIUDF Chief #Election2016 pic.twitter.com/7XMCcoCfBA
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
BJP leader Ram Madhav also praised the saffron party for winning the key northeast state. “Want to thank people of Assam for giving us 48-49% vote,Govt is committed for development of the state,” he said.
Want to thank ppl of Assam for giving us 48-49% vote,Govt is committed for development of the state: Ram Madhav,BJP pic.twitter.com/JtD4dciJnn
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
BJP leader and spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain also blasted the Congress following the defeat.
This verdict has further strengthened BJP's position as a national party while pushing Congress towards the position of a regional party.
— Syed Shahnawaz Hussain (@ShahnawazBJP) May 19, 2016
Mamata Banerjee, who will be sworn in as West Bengal chief minister for a second five-year term, lamented “politics of slander”. “We were victorious with two-thirds majority. Despite the Congress and Left alliance, we won. Families have come together and helped us win. Everything went peacefully. People stood in the queue for hours and in the heat to vote. Didn’t expect politics of slander and low lies. We fought alone this time. Last elections, Trinamool had won 184 seats in alliance. This time, the Opposition was united against us,” she said, referring to the Congress and CPM joining hands in West Bengal.
WATCH: Mamata Banerjee says,"Bengal is a 'corruption-less' state" as she sets to become CM fr 2nd term #Election2016https://t.co/P8T0m0hLew
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also has words of praise for Sarvananda Sonowal, for leading the BJP to victory in Assam:
Congratulated Shri Sarvananda Sonowal on BJP's historic victory in Assam. It is a decisive mandate given by the people of Assam.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 19, 2016
I also congratulate the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi and BJP president Shri @AmitShah on BJP's impressive performance in assembly polls
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 19, 2016
BJP's success in the assembly polls clearly shows the increased confidence of the people in our commitment to development and governance
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 19, 2016
M Venkaiah Naidu also poured scorn on the Congress.
People became intolerant towards the intolerance of Congress party. They have rejected opportunistic alliance...
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) May 19, 2016
Thanks to people of Assam. Congrats to BJP workers and leaders in Assam. Keep it up BJP. 2
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) May 19, 2016
Massive BJP victory in Assam is a happy gift to BJP and PM Modi on two years of NDA government at centre. 1/
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) May 19, 2016
It was left to Congress MP from Kerala Shashi Tharoor to find the silver lining.
One silver lining for @INCIndia inKerala: many of our youngest candidates won or are leading. They will be the nucleus of tomorrow's party.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 19, 2016