Congress, the grand old party, humiliated like never before

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi yesterday took responsibility for the party's worst drubbing in the national election, but did not give credit to Narendra Modi for the BJP victory.

India 'Modi'fied: In-depth coverage of election results 2014

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi accepted complete responsibility for the defeat, in New Delhi on Friday. Pic/PTI

Sonia Gandhi, in a short statement to the media at the party headquarters, during which she refused to entertain any questions, said, "The Congress faced its rivals in the elections on the basis of policies and principles. Despite that we failed to get the majority we had thought we would get."

"This time the mandate is clearly against us. I accept the mandate with humility. I hope that the incoming government will not compromise with the interests of society." "I want to congratulate the new government," she said, but did not name the BJP or Modi.

"The Congress will always fight and never compromise with the interests of people. "I want to thank the people for their votes, and as president of the party I accept responsibility for its defeat," she said

Smile when you lose
Rahul Gandhi, who won from Amethi, who appeared to have a fixed smile on his face, said he wanted to congratulate the new government, but he too did not mention either the BJP or Modi.

"The Congress has done pretty badly, and there is a lot to think about. As vice president I take the responsibility for the party's defeat," Rahul said, almost a repeat of what he said after the party's defeat in the November assembly election.

Mother and son then quickly left, declining to take any questions from the thronging media. The two were the only Congress candidates to win in UP.