CWC disappointed at results, promises corrective measures

New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) The Congress Working Committee Monday expressed "great disappointment" over the electoral debacle it suffered in the polls for the 16th Lok Sabha but promised its workers that it will "take corrective steps in order to win back the support of the people".

The CWC expressed its views on the poll outcome in a resolution passed at its meeting here.

In its resolution, the CWC praised the "untiring efforts made by the party president, Sonia Gandhi, and by the vice president, Rahul Gandhi" during the election campaign.

Admitting that the party lost due to its "shortcomings", the CWC resolution said it "failed to read the profound changes" that have occurred in the country in the last decade". It added that these changes were, for the most part, a result of the policies and programmes followed by the Congress.

The CWC accepted the need to "introspect" for its failure to "connect with the electorate" and blamed both the party and the government for the "failure". It authorised president Sonia Gandhi to "take whatever steps necessary in order to revamp the party organisation at all levels".

It also congratulated outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his "dignified and sober leadership".