According to party insiders, the poll reverses in the three heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have shocked the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Amit Shah, even more than they have the prime minister, Narendra Modi. For every election, Shah goes out addressing rallies as a mascot, second only to Modi himself. This time, in the three states whose poll results have come as such a surprise, Shah had addressed many more public meetings than the prime minister. At a recent event, Shah was even asked about becoming the prime minister in six years’ time. I am declaring right now that you will contest Varanasi against the prime minister in 2019.” Everyone, including Shukla, burst into laughter.

Source: The Telegraph December 16, 2018 12:11 UTC