Re-elected Sonia Gandhi asks Congressmen to behave

Addressing a meeting of CPP, she acknowledged there was ‘widespread anger against us which we failed to adequately gauge’ and said ‘we have to individually and collectively draw the appropriate lessons from this unprecedented setback’.

A resolution passed by the CPP reached out to progressive and secular forces to present a united opposition and assured other like-minded parties that Congress will extend its cooperation in this regard.

The resolution came at a time when Narendra Modi-led BJP s set to assume power as the only party in the last 30 years to achieve parliamentary majority on its own and Congress’ tally of seats stands reduced to just 44.

The Congress chief, who was made the CPP chief for the fifth time in a row since 1998, asked partymen to avoid ‘public acrimony’ saying their inputs, experience and assessment of the party’s strengths and weaknesses ‘rather than public acrimony’ will be critical to the exercise to draw the right lessons to put the party back on the rail.

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress vice-president, was seated on one of the back benches in the Central Hall of Parliament where the CPP meeting took place.