Deep

After giving the BJP their best victory since Independence in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan — and Chhattisgarh — the Congress was left with only its tall claims of ‘‘good governance’’ that its CMs provide in various states.

With the tally of the party-ruled states coming down to 11 today, the Congress is only hoping that this loss in the Assembly will turn into their gain in the Lok Sabha elections.

Confessing that Rajasthan was the biggest upset, leaders point that the high command did not manage important vote-banks like Jats, thinking that it was winning the state, as shown in pre-election surveys. While MP did not take anyone by surprise, the narrow defeat in Chhattisgarh has left Congress mystified.

The man left to pick up the pieces, political advisor to Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel said; ‘‘The BJP need not feel too happy. The incumbency factor which worked against Congress in these states, would work against BJP in Lok Sabha elections. That means, in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, we will do well in the general elections.’’

Patel also feels these results could lead to a rethink on the leaders who have been handling the elections. AICC general secretary Ambika Soni has been in charge of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Vilas Rao Deshmukh incharge of Chhattisgarh, and Patel himself was incharge of Delhi.

‘‘After a major event like these elections, party reorganisation can bring in leaders who can deliver. Though, of course, it is all upto to the party president,’’ Patel said.

On the loopholes in campaigning and its ‘‘lack of will to power,’’ Patel said: ‘‘There was a certain complacency and over-confidence.’’ All eyes are now on Ambika Soni, incharge of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

On how the party failed to see the writing on the wall, Soni said: ‘‘The Centre did not give us resources and yet the governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh did good work. But somehow we have not been able to translate our work into votes.’’