“I think Congress would not remain a big political force by 2026. It would be reduced to a political party of a district...,” Sarma said on Congress’s lacklustre performance as the party has been routed in all five states where assembly polls took place, including Punjab, where it was incumbent.

The Assam CM said Congress has been rejected as an alternative to the BJP and has lost its pan-India presence.

“Congress had its government in Punjab which slipped out of their hands. Congress couldn’t come back to power where there was a culture that the government kept changing every five years. They performed badly in Goa and Manipur compared to their previous performances. Now Congress has been reduced as a regional party.” Irani took a dig at Kejriwal saying: “A leader who gets fewer votes than NOTA in Uttar Pradesh, lost deposit on 55/70 seats in Uttarakhand, claims there’s an AAP wave.” At a press conference, Delhi CM and AAP president Kejriwal alleged that BJP had delayed the Nagar Nigam polls in Delhi as they fear defeat against the AAP wave in the national capital.

(With inputs from agencies)