Click to play videoNew Delhi: While the Congress is foggy and grappling for reasons for its debacle in Gujarat Assembly elections, it's clear about one thing – party chief Sonia Gandhi can do no wrong.
The crowds at Sonia's rally and Rahul's roadshows had raised hopes of a Congress victory in the state, but when the crowd pullers failed to be vote catchers, Sonia's party magnanimously took the blame.
“It’s our fault that we could not translate the crowds into votes. Why blame her?” Gujarat Congress in-charge BK Hariprasad said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Narendra Modi's victory has opened the gates of dissent within the Congress. State in-charge and Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh blamed Gujarat leadership for the defeat without hesitation.
“It’s a state election, how can you blame central leaders? Obviously the local leadership was at fault,” Singh said.
So, was Singh hitting out at Sonia's shadow, Ahmed Patel? After all, Patel spent over three months managing the elections, but it seems now his role is under the scanner.
Forced to introspect, the party held a meeting in 10 Janpath where there was some soul searching and the verdict was collective responsibility for the debacle and Sonia was not to blame, according to the Congress.
Party sources reveal that introspection took note of excessive dependence on the rebel factor, campaign flip-flops, shifting focus from development to Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case and ‘merchant of death’ remark. And all of these factors could have boomeranged and in the end to help Modi's cause.
Now Congress has a serious reason to be concerned as 2008 is election year and its failed strategy in Gujarat should make it raise questions about itself and its leaders.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
 |
 |
 |
|
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.