Gandhi family accept responsibility for Congress defeat

16 May 2014 11:50 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The leaders of India's defeated Congress party, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, admitted personal responsibility on Friday for the disastrous election results which came after 10 years in power.

“We understand that victory and loss is part of democracy,” party president Sonia told reporters in New Delhi as preliminary figures showed the Congress heading for its worst ever performance.

“We respect this decision. I take responsibility for this defeat,” she added, in remarks echoed by her 43-year-old son, who led national campaigning for the first time.
The leftist Congress has dominated Indian politics since independence, mostly with a member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty at its head. The famous bloodline has provided three prime ministers.

But Friday's figures have already triggered speculation about their future after a lacklustre campaign by Rahul, a former management consultant whose political skills are widely doubted.

“I would like to start by congratulating the new government. They have been given a mandate by the people of this country. We have done pretty badly. As vice-president of the party I hold myself responsible,” Rahul said.

Preliminary results at the end of the marathon six-week election showed the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by hardliner Narendra Modi on track for the first parliamentary majority by a single party in 30 years. (AFP)

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Comments - 21

up Saturday, 17 May 2014 04:13 AM

Any sort of "Athathiya" for the Indian election Commissioner???.

old citizen Monday, 19 May 2014 08:30 AM

Those who ate salt shall drink water.

James Bond Monday, 19 May 2014 04:59 AM

[quote name="Mahatthaya"]Great to accept defeat and that too taking personal responsibility for the debacle. They do not blame computer Gilmart for their loss though computer were used at majority of polling booths during this election. Hats off to the Indian Independent Election Commission that over saw the conduct of the elections. The Commissioner did not cry or make a fool out of himself in front of the TV. via DM iPad app[/quote]

They didn't talk of computer jilmart ! They are better than our politicians who lose and whine,

rajiv Saturday, 17 May 2014 11:15 AM

So will you now leave politics since you lost and accepted the responsibility of the defeat.

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 17 May 2014 11:15 AM

This is how all "Family Rules" end.

The Modaya Saturday, 17 May 2014 10:53 AM

Who should have been hanged?

The plotters, the so called Sri Lankans known as Tigers or those innocents Indians who used for their plot?

Those plotters are done with in May 2009. But in taking the revenge the Italians forgot that they also elected to serve the Indian voters and so rightly sent home packing!

malij Saturday, 17 May 2014 08:59 AM

[quote name="ind"]Very simple. People if India has taught them a lesson for forgetting the killers of Rajiv Gandhi for the sake of power.[/quote]
Very true. They should have hanged the bloody killers (and their supporters as well.)
Unfortunately, it was a decision made by the Indian Supreme Court.

citizen Saturday, 17 May 2014 06:02 AM

OUR family will never accept responsibility for ANYTHING.

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 17 May 2014 04:19 AM

Sonia feel sorry for you. Even now its not too late, make a request to BJP to Hung, Rajiv's killers so that you could have some peace of mind. Never support a Terrorist group, specially LTTE & Pro-LTTE (TNA).

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 17 May 2014 04:16 AM

[quote name="ind"]Very simple. People if India has taught them a lesson for forgetting the killers of Rajiv Gandhi for the sake of power.[/quote]

True, this is the fact - for their defeat. If they would have respected Late Rajiv Gandhi they should have hung the killers, but they supported LTTE & TNA wholeheartedly. Now its the turn for BJP to hung to death the killers of Rajiv.

ANTON Saturday, 17 May 2014 04:13 AM

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE OWNER'S CAR IS DRIVEN BY A STRANGER.

ind Friday, 16 May 2014 12:08 PM

Very simple. People if India has taught them a lesson for forgetting the killers of Rajiv Gandhi for the sake of power.

mohan Saturday, 17 May 2014 03:53 AM

or may be they forgot about people and spend resources on revenge :p.

AJ SYDNEY Saturday, 17 May 2014 03:41 AM

You should change congress to Sonia Party. Shame to India to have a congress leader like Sonia because of Rajiv wife. Can Rahul go to Italy and lead the party. Shame for millions of Indian Woman. Thanks to God. Now this the time to investigate and tell the truth to the world about Sonia involvement in killing innocent tails in Srilanaka Will Singh will be truthfull ???

kotik Saturday, 17 May 2014 08:49 AM

Accepting the responsibility is not enough they should understand that Indian people have decimated their poor policies including treatment on neighboring countries. via DM Android App

S, prerea Saturday, 17 May 2014 07:00 AM

Well said by Ind. They got the curse of the innocent Tamils whose family members got brutally killed and children were abdicated by LTTE

On Looker Friday, 16 May 2014 05:51 PM

Sonia was arrogant and people of India gave her a good lesson. Congress made money on bribery and corruption and voters taught them a good lesson.

muthyavan. Friday, 16 May 2014 09:55 PM

Corruption and family management brought this dawn fall. via DM iPad app

freking Friday, 16 May 2014 02:25 PM

You should remind May 2009

Mahatthaya Friday, 16 May 2014 07:31 PM

Great to accept defeat and that too taking personal responsibility for the debacle. They do not blame computer Gilmart for their loss though computer were used at majority of polling booths during this election. Hats off to the Indian Independent Election Commission that over saw the conduct of the elections. The Commissioner did not cry or make a fool out of himself in front of the TV. via DM iPad app

lal Friday, 16 May 2014 12:22 PM

Sonia can throw away her sarees and return to her homeland.

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Gandhi family accept responsibility for Congress defeat

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