MPs, leaders responsible for own defeat, says Lovely

“If anybody is responsible for the debacle, then it is all the seven MPs and myself. Ajay Maken is a two-term MP. He has been a Cabinet Minister and the AICC general secretary. If he cannot manage (to win) his own seat, then how is the high command responsible? Kapil Sibal was a Cabinet Minister for 10 years. J P Agarwal has been the longest serving PCC president. Krishna Tirath is a two-term MP and was made Cabinet Minister,” Lovely told PTI.

“The high command makes you ministers, PCC presidents, they make you powerful so that at times of anti-incumbency, at least, you can hold on to your seat. How is Rahul Gandhi responsible for their defeat? If it is a failure, then it is my failure and that of the seven candidates,” Lovely told PTI.

The DPCC chief also identified the division of secular votes and anti-incumbency against previous Sheila Dikshit government and UPA as major reasons for Congress’s defeat in the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital. Last month, the party leadership dissolved all 14 district and 140 block committees in the national capital and gave Lovely a “free hand” to rebuild the party in the city.

“It is a major challenge and I am putting in all my effort to revive the party. The AAP had helped BJP by ensuring division of secular votes. People have seen their 49-day government and I am confident people will not support the AAP again,” Lovely said.