Latest Gandhi fails to reverse Congress slide

Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of the family to try and stamp themselves on Indian politics, has failed to deliver a promised…

Rahul Gandhi, the latest member of the family to try and stamp themselves on Indian politics, has failed to deliver a promised comeback for the Congress Party in crucial state elections.

The party flopped in India’s most politically vital state in a blow also to the already-tottering government of prime minister Manmohan Singh, reducing his scope to relaunch reforms and reverse a slowdown in economic growth.

“It has been a disaster for the Congress, it’s an even bigger disaster for Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family,” political analyst Amulya Ganguli said as results came in from Uttar Pradesh and four smaller states that went to the polls. “They were banking on success in these elections, hoping to get at least four out of five states. It has gone exactly the opposite way. It shows that there is no charisma left in the Gandhi family.”

Congress sought to shield Gandhi from blame, arguing it was up to local lawmakers to convert his electioneering into assembly seats. But later, dressed in a long white Indian shirt and smiling in front of a crush of reporters outside the New Delhi residence of his mother, Sonia, Gandhi was humble.

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“I accept responsibility for the fact that we did not perform well. After all, I was the main campaigner . . . the Congress party fought well, but the result is not good,” 41-year-old Gandhi said.

Rahul is scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has ruled India for most of its 65 years since independence. Congress lost also in Goa and Utter Pradesh. – (Reuters)