"In states where we are out of power especially, we should be coming together, setting aside personal ambitions and egos and working cohesively so that the party triumphs," Gandhi told party leaders while addressing the 'chitan shivir', the party's strategy session, here.
"Why do we forget the simple truth that in the party's victory, lies the victory of each one of us," she said adding: "Unity has to come from within."
Gandhi said the party squandered many opportunities because it could not function as a disciplined and united team.
Stressing on building leadership at all levels, she said the party should not be afraid to move forward and take up issues and programmes which highlight the concerns and aspirations of the people.
Performance rather than patronage should be the ladder for rising in the party, said the Congress chief.