Results unexpected; coalition will deliberate on reasons for defeat, says Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, May 23: Calling the Lok Sabha election results "unexpected", Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the leaders of his party JD(S) and Congress would deliberate on the reasons behind the defeat in the election.
As the BJP badly mauled the ruling coalition, Kumaraswamy conceded defeat and said he respected the mandate of the people.
"Leaders of both parties of coalition will hold a discussion about the loss of JDS-Congress coalition candidates.
"Our party has seen many victories & losses over the years and party workers need not lose heart on this loss. Let us strive to strengthen the party in the days ahead," the chief minister tweeted.
He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for emerging victorious for the second time, saying he respected the mandate of the people.
Kumaraswamy also thanked the workers of coalition parties, JD(S) and the Congress, for the support and cooperation during the elections.
Former chief minister and Congress strongman Siddaramaiah too tweeted on the same lines, saying the results were unexpected.
While greeting the prime minister on his return to power for the second time, Siddaramaiah tweeted, "Winning and losing is an integral part of our electoral politics & this is the beauty of democratic process.
Though the loss was unexpected, we humbly accept people' mandate. I thank all those who supported our candidates & our fight will continue."
Siddaramaiah, who is also the coordination committee chairman of the coalition parties, congratulated all those who were elected to the Lok Sabha from Karnataka.
Wishing them the best, Siddaramaiah said they would protect the interests of the people of Karnataka in Parliament in one voice.
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Fire erupts at plastic factory in Ahmedabad; no casualties
Ahmedabad (PTI): A fire broke out at a plastic granules and mould manufacturing factory in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday morning, an official said.
No casualties were reported in the incident, he said.
The blaze erupted around 8 am at Processo Plast Enterprise in the Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's Additional Chief Officer (fire) Mihir Rana told PTI.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky, visible from a considerable distance in the area.
"The unit closed after the night shift and the fire broke out in the morning in the ground floor's storage facility section due to unidentified reasons," Rana said.
Nine fire tenders and several other firefighting vehicles were rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control by 11 am, he said.
Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to the first floor. However, machinery and plastic materials were damaged on the ground floor, he said, adding that the exact cause of the blaze was under investigation.
