Sonia absolved, Cong leaders take all blame

Sources, however, said the Congress was not sure if it would be a good idea to abandon the nuclear deal to ensure a full term for the UPA government. They felt the Left, despite its oft-repeated commitment to keep BJP out of power, was likely to pull the rug sooner or later 8212; on some other issue if not the deal 8212; to avoid sharing the anti-incumbency factor.

8220;Should you dump the deal when the Left looks set to bring down the government mid-way? We are not in a position to go for mid-term polls after Gujarat election results. But here is a situation where we lose the nuclear deal as also the government, if the Left has its way,8221; said a senior Congress leader.

Meanwhile, at the meeting at 10 Janpath today, Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki took on 8220;full responsibility8221; for the debacle in Gujarat and left it to the high command to take a call on his continuation in the post. He did not formally offer to quit, though, said sources.

AICC General Secretary in charge of Gujarat B K Hari Prasad also owned the responsibility for the party8217;s defeat.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that he had always felt that it was going to be a tough task toppling the Narendra Modi regime in Gujarat and the party had to identify the reasons for its failure, according to sources. Among the other leaders present at the meeting were A K Antony, Arjun Singh, Ahmed Patel, Digvijay Singh, Prithviraj Chavan, and Dinsha Patel.

Solanki presented a primary report on the party8217;s performance in Gujarat. The final report will be submitted shortly. The Congress Working Committee is likely to meet after Himachal Pradesh election verdict on December 28 to assess the situation and chart out the future course of action.

At the meeting, leaders were learnt to have pointed out that while Modi had always talked about Gujarat and Gujarati pride, the Congress had made the mistake of focusing the entire campaign on Modi himself. Besides, there were differences of opinion between Central and state leaders in terms of campaign strategy. While state leaders wanted to avoid any mention of Godhra and Modi8217;s communal politics, central leaders were in favour of taking an 8220;ideological line8221; from national perspective.

That was reflected by the flip flop on the 8220;merchant of death8221; remarks, which sent out a message that the Congress was blinking. Party leaders maintained that there was nothing wrong with Congress President Sonia Gandhi8217;s merchant of death remark because, even otherwise, Modi could have raked up communal issues. Most of the leaders pointed out in the meeting that 8220;over-dependence8221; on BJP rebels might have spoilt the party8217;s chances in Saurashtra. Besides, the Patels and the Kolis also did not come out in support of the Congress. At the end of the meeting though, the party leadership remained vague about the exact reasons for the party8217;s defeat, even as they gave credit to Modi for the way he had run the campaign.

8220;We are going to have a comprehensive analysis of our defeat right from the booth to the state level,8221; AICC media cell chairperson Veerappa Moily told reporters.