BJP blames 'Dhuryodhan' for Rajnandgaon defeat

Raipur, Apr 1 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today blamed the 'Operation Duryodhan' factor for his party candidate's defeat in the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha by-election, noting that the outcome was on the same lines in other such constituencies.

'' All the parties, whose MPs were expelled from Parliament following their involvement in the cash-for-question scandal, have lost elections in their respective constituencies. Rajnandgaon is no exception'', he said while talking to newsmen at his residence soon after the declaration of result.

''Be it in Gwalior or Sidhi in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, parties of these MPs concerned have lost elections. The reaction was uniform across the country,'' he said adding that his party, however, accecpted the people's verdict.

'' We have raised the issue of price rise along with many other issues. But the issue of expulsion of BJP MP Pradeep Gandhi appeared to have influenced the outcome of the elections'', Dr Singh said adding that as the election was unexpected, the party had to face the anger of the voters.

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said there was no need for his resignation just on the basis of the outcome of a lok sabha by -election.

UNI