BJP feels poll loss more than Amit Shah's win, Patel's victory gives Oppn a boost

Congress faces unity challenge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministers and senior leaders on Wednesday congratulated Amit Shah for completing three successful years as the party president and for his Rajya Sabha debut.

But the celebratory spirit was amiss at the BJP national headquarters — 11, Ashoka Road — and among party members of Parliament (MPs) and ministers who attended Parliament on Wednesday. The loss of a Rajya Sabha seat in Gujarat had caused much pain, or so it seemed.

The BJP had fielded Balwantsinh Rajput, who had defected from the Congress. But Rajput lost to Congress leader