The mood at the Congress headquarters was despondent as trends from Gujarat indicated a clear lead for the BJP in the assembly elections.
It was a bitterly fought election, in which the Congress' campaign was led by its newly minted party president Rahul Gandhi, and the party hoped to make it a close contest, if not win the state, which is the hometurf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With trends indicating a substantial gap between the two parties, the Congress party office in Delhi wore a deserted look. While it was agog with excitement just a day before, when Rahul took over as Congress President, the place had more mediapersons than leaders present.
Congress spokespersons spoke about the party having fought a brave battle, credited Rahul with having led the campaign efficiently, and criticised the Election Commission of India for having allowed the ruling dispensation to make last minute announcements to woo the voters by delaying the declaration of elections, and letting Modi and other BJP leaders flout norms and making polarising statements.
"Rahulji's campaign was based on moral and ethical values. Modi and the BJP, on the other hand, made desperate efforts that included talking about Pakistani hand in the elections," said Congress leader Ajoy Kumar.
