Cong says performance short of its expectation

Karnataka unit Congress today said its performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the state was a "set back" to the party.    

"Our expectations have not been realised. In a way it is a set back to us. We should have done well", KPCC President R V Deshpande told PTI.      

On the rout the Congress faced as it could not even touch the last election tally eight seats, Deshpande said probably, delay in selection of candidates, non-selection of winnable ones and lack of resources could be the causes.     

"Unlike the ruling BJP which misused power and had resources, Congress did not have these advantages", Deshpande, who could not succeed in getting a ticket to his son Prashant from Uttara Kannada constituency, where the party's candidate Margaret Alva lost for the second successive term said.      

With the UPA set to return to rule at the Centre, the Congress will work for the all round development of the state, he said.      

Deshpande credited the UPA victory to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi.