Bengaluru, Feb 11 (IANS): Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) supreme H.D. Deve Gowda on Tuesday congratulated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his ruling Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) hat-trick victory in the northern state's Assembly elections.

"Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your splendid third victory in the Delhi state Assembly elections," said Gowda in a letter to Kejriwal even before results for all the 70 constituencies were declared, as counting was underway, with the AAP leading in 62 seats, followed by the BJP in 8 and the Congress in none.

Gowda, 86, was the country's 11th Prime Minister from June 1, 1996 to April 21, 1997 and Karnataka's Chief Minister from December 1994 to May 1996.

"You richly deserve this win. It is also a remarkably good sign in Indian politics that your focus on development has paid off immensely," said Gowda.

Noting that the AAP victory for the third time in a row had assured the country again that desperate acts of communal polarisation has limited currency, Gowda said the good work its government did in education and health sectors was evident for all to assess.

"May the lord give you good health to carry forward your service to the people of Delhi with renewed vigour," added Gowda in his personal letter to Kejriwal.