AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal today downplayed his party's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, and said the country was witnessing "a great churning wherein it has become difficult for political parties to predict their own gains and losses".
Congratulating "the BJP on their success", Kejriwal said, "...This was our first (general) election. It is a good start though we are a bit upset over the Delhi results... We are surprised over results in Punjab and shocked over the outcome in Delhi."
The Aam Aadmi Party has bagged four out of Punjab's 13 seats, but failed to open its account in the national capital where it had made a spectacular electoral debut in last year's assembly polls winning 28 of 70 seats.
"The developments make me feel that what the country is witnessing is a great churning wherein it has become difficult for political parties to predict their own gains and losses," he said in Varanasi where he is staring at a massive defeat to BJP's Narendra Modi.
"In Kashi, I would like to thank those who voted for me as well as those who did not. In a democracy, the will of the people is supreme and the mandate has to be respected," he said, adding "the people's verdict is supreme in democracy and we accept that. I am grateful to people for their love and respect".
Asked whether AAP should have focused more on specific seats, Kejriwal said, "I always have maintained that this is people's election and we did not have money... We had intended to provide a platform to the common people who wished to get involved and make a difference. We have not failed to achieve the intended purpose," he said, adding "we will sit in the next three to four days and discuss the results".
Replying to queries, Kejriwal said he would personally speak to party colleague Kumar Vishwas who, despite running a rigorous campaign, is poised for a humiliating defeat to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
The former Delhi Chief Minister said, "I have received a lot of love from the people of Kashi. The results of elections notwithstanding, I would keep visiting this place regularly.
