But for Delhi, poll results no setback: BJP

Putting up a brave face, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Rajnath Singh on Monday said the election results in five states were not a setback to the party, which has lost just one state to the Congress.

However, Singh did term as 'surprising' the poll outcome in Delhi, where Congress is set to retain power for third time in a row.

"The Delhi results are surprising as we had expected a majority," Singh told media persons, adding, "But, overall it (poll result) is not a setback as the BJP has won in Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh."

"We have lost in only one state," he said referring to Rajasthan where Congress was emerging as the single-largest party defeating the incumbent BJP.

In Delhi, Congress had a government and it had succeeded in retaining power, Singh said.

Singh said local issues dominated the state elections and the voters had made up their mind well in advance about their choice of leaders.

The BJP chief said his party was headed for a clear majority in Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh where they would form the government.