Congress says UP loss hurts, takes solace from Punjab, Goa

New Delhi: Admitting that the loss in Uttar Pradesh was hurting, the Congress today said some fundamental restructuring and tough decisions on strategy were required besides introspection.
The Opposition party congratulated the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the victory in UP and Uttarakhand, highlighted its own gains in Punjab and Goa and said it will introspect on its performance.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said the party stands resolute and committed to its values of a united India and will continue its fight to win people's hearts.

He thanked the people of Punjab for giving the Congress a mandate for ensuring a "bright future" for the state and its youth.

"The UP is a bad loss, it hurts...I agree that, in UP, we need fundamental restructuring thinking for the Congress as a whole. These have to be hard, tough decisions about strategy," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it will introspect on the reasons for the loss in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and will re-dedicate itself to strengthening the party and being the watchdog of people.

"We congratulate the BJP and PM, Narendra Modi, on the victory in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. We bow before the verdict of people of the two states. Congress never arrogates in victory and is not discouraged in defeat," he said.

Gandhi, in a message to all party workers, said, "We stand resolute and committed to our values and our belief in an India united in strength and purpose."

"Our fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts and minds of people," he also said.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Surjewala said these election results are also a lesson to those who are never tired of speaking about 'Congress-mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India).

"We hope that BJP will shift the narrative from 'Shamshan-Kabristan' to the politics of development and brotherhood that is intrinsic to the 'Ganga-Jamuni' culture of UP and will provide the much-needed relief by waiving farmer's loans, market driven MSP for crops, jobs for youth and ushering in a new era of industrialisation," he said.

To a question on Shah hailing Modi as the "tallest leader" in the country since independence, Surjewala said it could be the BJP's prerogative to say so but no one is above democracy.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad sought to defend Rahul for the poll debacle in UP, saying the results are not a referendum on him.

"If you hold him responsible for defeat, you should credit him for winning Punjab also," he said.