Post Debacle in UP, Congress to Review Reasons for Loss

New Delhi: After its poll debacle in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress on Monday said the party's central leadership will soon review its performance and introspect on the reasons that led to its loss.

"The Congress party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi will soon meet to review the party's performance in Uttar Pradesh," party spokesperson P L Punia told reporters.

He said the UP PCC under the presidentship of Raj Babbar met to review the party's performance in the state and dwelt on the reasons that led to such a defeat.

The party has already set in motion the process of reviewing its poll showing with the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) led by Babbar holding a day-long deliberation on Sunday at Lucknow with state leaders.

Sources say party leaders during this meeting cited the delay in announcing the alliance with Samajwadi Party and SP leaders not fully supporting the Congress were some of the reasons that led to the party's defeat in UP.

Incidently, as many as 22 candidates of both SP and Congress were contesting from as many seats which was also given as one of the reasons.

The leaders, the sources said, also cited the rout of BSP and its complete failure in holding to its votebank and allowing the same to be shifted to BJP also led to BJP's stupendous victory.

Punia said after this review, a similar review will take place at the national level too, once Rahul returns.

He said all subjects will be under review and senior party leaders will get together and dwell on the reasons for the defeat and decisions will be taken thereafter.

"Whatever has happened is nothing to be proud of," he said.

The Dalit Congress leader from UP who headed the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, said a conclusion will be given to the party leadership as part of the review exercise once inputs are received from state party leaders.

Asked about a poster being put up outside the PCC office in Lucknow announcing a prize money of Rs 5 lakh for Prashant Kishor who spearheaded the party's poll strategy in UP, Punia said the party has nothing to do with it.

"The Congress party has nothing to do with it (poster)... I don't think anybody from Congress is looking for him," he asaid.