Rahul will revive Congress, says Tharoor

The Congress Wednesday said although its tally was reduced to a mere 44 MPs in the Lok Sabha, it had a presence in every village and every city in India and party vice president Rahul Gandhi will work to increase that base.

"One should not think that Congress is only about 44 MPs. The Congress is in every village, every town of this country wherever its ideology finds reflection in people's belief," Congress spokesperson Shashi Tharoor told the media.

Gandhi would be instrumental in reviving the party, he added.

"Rahul not becoming the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha should not be seen as his reluctance to lead the party. He will be tackling issues across India and revive the Congress," said Tharoor.

Gandhi knew how he would be most effective for the party and his visit to Uttar Pradesh's Badaun where two Dalit girls were raped and murdered showed his resolve to keep meeting people and give voice to their grievances, he added.

He said Gandhi was the young face of the nation and he would be putting his feet wherever and in whichever capacity the people of India need him.

The Congress has named Mallikarjun Kharge as its leader in the Lok Sabha, triggering speculation that party leaders have lost faith in the 43-year-old Gandhi scion.