Defeat leaves Congress rudderless, as leaders grope in dark

New Delhi: The Congress is thinning out like no other party today in India—reducing itself to two states Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh.

After every election debacle, the leadership ensconced in Delhi would at least squeeze itself out the hope of resurrecting the party again—the term they usually put to media is "re-invent".

Nobody out there capable of at least uttering that word exist in the party today, it seems. "There is a sense of despair and a foreboding of impending internal upheaval." Indian Express reported, adding that several leaders it spoke to are groping in the dark. The situation is all the more important ahead of the party meeting Sonia Gandhi likely to chair soon.

Young leaders questioned said that the "old and jaded" must make way for the young, speaking against the backdrop of AAP's win in Punjab. The fledgling party's stunning win in Punjab throws into sharp relief the failing congress.

Indian Express quoted CWC member Ghulam Nabi Azad as saying "I am shocked, my heart is bleeding to see our defeat in state after state," He added "We gave our entire youth and life to the party…I am sure that the party's leadership will take note of all weaknesses and shortcomings which my colleagues and I had been talking about for quite some time."

In the thick of this despairing outcome, Shashi Tharoor called again for leadership reform. He tweeted that the results from the assembly were hurting to everybody who believed in @INCIndia. He rammed home the point that it was about time to "reaffirm the idea of India that the Congress has stood for and the positive agenda it offers the nation".

" One thing is clear – Change is unavoidable if we need to succeed" he said. Many veterans representing G-23 will meet at Azad's residence tomorrow discussing future. Sources in the party are reportedly concerned about keeping the party united against defections.

A young leader told Indian Express that the party couldn't anymore argue that BJP win poll playing Hindu-Muslim card. He asked " Where are Muslims in Punjab?—adding for that matter in Uttarakhand, Manipur or Goa. Echoing what the workers sounding out across the country, he said "our leadership lack credibility".

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid touched on the issue of credibility of the leadership, saying that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hopped between 209 rallies and roadshows in Uttar Pradesh. Priyank along with Rahul talked to the people about the Lakhimpur Kheri killing of farmers. The senior leader said that nothing worked. Meanwhile,following the humiliating defeat, Rahul Gandhi in tweets said as humbly accepting the people's verdict.