Shimla, Nov 10 (IANS): The people of Bihar were aware of the "nefarious designs" of the BJP and so defeated it, Himachal Pradesh Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Tuesday.

The victory of the Grand Alliance was a victory of truth, unity and honesty, he said in a statement here.

"The BJP tried its best to lure the voters and played the communal card. But people were well aware of their nefarious designs and gave a strong reply to the politics of hatred and communalism," he said.

The minister said the election verdict had exposed the "dictatorial and arrogant attitude" of the Narendra Modi government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's defeat would have a major impact on the country, he added.

The BJP won just 53 of the 243 seats in the Bihar assembly while its three allies got five seats, giving the combine a total of 58 seats. The BJP had hoped to oust the Nitish Kumar government.

"The results clearly indicate the people of the country are fed up with the Modi government," he said.

"The BJP's countdown had started from the Delhi assembly elections. Now the defeat in Bihar is a clear mandate against the BJP."