New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjeecontended that it was a moral defeat for the BJP in Gujarat and the people of the state have "belled the cat for 2019".

Congratulating the people of Gujarat for their "very balanced verdict at this hour", Banerjee said it was a face- saving win for the ruling party.

“I congratulate Gujarat voters for their very balanced verdict at this hour. It is a temporary and face-saving win”, she tweeted. 

"It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP. Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019," Banerjee remarked in another tweet.

The TMC chief had recently hailed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for "putting the BJP on the backfoot".