New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the party humbly accepts the people's verdict in the assembly polls.
The Congress was routed in the elections to the five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand. The party also lost power in Punjab to the AAP.
Congress, Rahul Gandhi said, would continue to work for the interests of the people of the country.
"Humbly accept the people's verdict. Best wishes to those who have won the mandate. My gratitude to all Congress workers and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. We will learn from this and keep working for the interests of the people of India," Gandhi said on Twitter.
Congress leader and national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the results of 5 states were against the expectations of the party.
"The results of 5 states have come against the expectations of the Congress party but we accept that we failed to get the blessings of the people. Sonia Gandhi has decided to convene Congress Working Committee meeting soon to introspect the results," ANI quoted Surjewala as saying.
Randeep Surjewala blamed the Congress' loss in Punjab to anti-incumbency of 4.5 years under former CM Captain Amarinder Singh.
"In Punjab, Congres presented a new leadership through Charanjit Singh Channi who is son of the soil, but the entire anti-incumbency of 4.5 years under Captain Amarinder Singh could not be overcome and hence people voted for AAP for change," Surjewala said.
The poor performance comes even as Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi addressed 209 rallies and roadshows in UP, the maximum by any top leader during the UP election campaign.
Though Priyanka Gandhi was focussed on Uttar Pradesh, she also campaigned for the polls in Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab. Rahul Gandhi also held several rallies in Punjab, Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.