DHAKA: Speaking one after the other, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and deputy Rahul Gandhi owned responsibility this evening for their party’s debacle in the general elections.

‘Congress has done pretty badly, a lot for us to think about. As vice-president, I hold myself responsible,’ said Rahul, who led the Congress’ campaign, criticised as lacklustre when compared to that of the BJP’s Narendra Modi, who will be India’s next prime minister.

Sonia Gandhi spoke in Hindi and said, ‘The people’s verdict is against us... As Congress president I take responsibility for the defeat.’

She congratulated the BJP on its massive win.

BDST: 1853 HRS, MAY 16, 2014