Poll effect: Cong pledges introspection, transformation

Stunned by the drubbing in assembly polls, top leadership of the Congress today pledged "deep introspection" with a view to "transform" the party to rectify its mistakes ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Stating that the party was "very very disappointed" with the results, its President Sonia Gandhi, however, suggested that this outcome would have no bearing on the Lok Sabha polls since "general elections are quite different".
"We will introspect seriously and we will take all necessary actions to rectify our mistakes or our way of functioning," she told reporters at the AICC headquarters here soon after it became clear that the Congress had done badly in the current round of assembly polls.

Asked whether the Congress party would name its Prime Ministerial candidate against BJP's Narendra Modi, Gandhi said, "people need not worry as, at an opportune time, the name of the Prime Ministerial candidate" will be announced.
Initially she appeared reluctant to give an answer when asked whether Rahul would be named as the Prime Ministerial candidate.
"We will make a statement. The party has to decide. The party will decide at the opportune time," she said.
Appearing before the media along with his mother, party Vice President Rahul Gandhi the Congress party has to transform itself to stand up. "We have to move to a new paradigm and give serious space to the common masses."

He said through the elections, "people have given us a message, which we have heard.