We accept people's mandate with humility, says Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday conceded defeat in the Punjab and Goa assembly polls and said he accepted the people's mandate. Kejriwal appreciated the Aam Aadmi Party workers for their hard work in the elections. "We accept the people's mandate (in the assembly polls) with full humility. All party workers worked very hard. Our struggle will continue," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader tweeted.

The other party leaders, too, said that they were disappointed over losing the Punjab election but added that becoming the main opposition in the border state was also an achievement. The party leaders also hinted that it would meet soon and introspect what went wrong.

"We hoped to form a government in Punjab But we are disappointed with the result. For a new party, even coming at the second place is a big thing hence do not underestimate this also," said Ashutosh while talking to media.

AAP founder leader Kumar Vishwas said: "We didn't get the mandate we expected (in Punjab). Our best wishes to the BJP and Congress for a good win (in different states) and to all our candidates who fought well. "Becoming the main opposition in the assembly is an achievement. We will introspect what went wrong," said Vishwas. Kumar Vishwas, a confidante of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said the Punjab debacle will not affect the AAP in the upcoming Delhi municipal polls. "We will be fighting the municipal polls on the strength of what we have achieved in Delhi. We are sure to get a good mandate."

Senior party leader Sanjay Singh, while talking to media, said that the election results of the two states are contrary to their expectations. "In democracy, people have authority to elect their government and the mandate given by people is acceptable.

We have decided to analyse our defeat. Members of the party, through their hard work, ensured standing of the party and fought the election but today we have not got the desired result. Accepting our defeat, we congratulate the new government in the state with hope that the government in Punjab, under leadership of Captain Amrinder Singh, will fulfil expectations of the people. The people have given us mandate as principal opposition party hence we will ensure fight for people's right continue," Singh said.

Ever since the February 4 elections in both the states, the AAP was supremely confident of coming to power in Punjab by "winning not less than 100 seats", and hoped to emerge as a major player in Goa as well.