Even as the Samajwadi Party has raced ahead in the UP assembly election results to form the next government, Congress general Secretary Rahul Gandhi accepted the responsibility for the party’s defeat there and vowed to strengthen the organization in the state.

“I led the campaign and I accept the responsibility for the disastrous performance of the congress,” he told newspersons in Delhi after the results were out. The congress party won only 27 seats in the 403 member strong assembly.

Trying to be cheerful with forced smiles, Rahul Gandhi said he made a promise to the people in the state that he would be seen with the poor on the roads and fields and would continue his efforts despite the defeat.

When asked for the reasons for the disastrous performance of the party in UP, he said it was too early to analyze such things. “I will continue my efforts to strengthen the party in the state,” he said.

Observing the congress party is not where it should be at the organizational level, Rahul said the general mood of the people was in favour of Samajwadi Party. “It is a good lesson for me,” he said. (J)