Congress rejects Rahul Gandhi's offer to resign as party president

Addressing the media after today's Congress Working Committee meet, senior leader Randeep Surjewala clearly stated that the body was unanimous in its decision to reject Rahul Gandhi's offer to resign as the party chief. The party will fulfill its role as a strong opposition, said Surjewala.

"We need Rahul Gandhi to guide us in these challenging times," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee. At the meet, Congress leaders have passed a resolution authorizing Rahul Gandhi to restructure the party.

He also said that Congress has humbly accepted the people's mandate and are determined to work for the welfare of the nation.

Speaking on the party's performance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, senior party leader AK Antony said, “I don't agree that this was a disastrous performance but we were not able to rise to the expectation. We can't reach a conclusion at such a short notice.”

Earlier today, the Congress leadership met to review the party's dismal showing in the national election. The party managed to win only 52 seats, way below the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance which won over 350 seats in the 542 Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls.

Following the poll rout, Congress's Uttar Pradesh and Odisha state chiefs and its campaign committee head in Karnataka have resigned taking onus of the massive defeat. Yogendra Misra, the Congress's Amethi district chief, has also resigned taking onus of the defeat of party president Rahul Gandhi from the traditional bastion of the Gandhis.