Sonia, Rahul take responsibility for poor Congress show

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice president Rahul Gandhi Friday took responsibility for the party's worst ever drubbing in the Lok Sabha election.

Addressing a brief press conference after it became clear that party would be relegated to a poor 50-odd seats, Sonia Gandhi said: "We with all humility accept the mandate of the people and hope that the new government at the centre will uphold the unity and interests of the country."

"As president I take responsibility for the defeat," she said and also congratulated the new government without naming BJP leader Narendra Modi, who is set to become the new prime minister of India.

A smiling Rahul Gandhi said he wanted to congratulate the new government.

"They have been given the mandate by the people, I want to wish them the best."

"The Congress has done pretty badly, and there is a lot to think about...I hold myself responsible."