Hubballi: Senior Congress leader and head of pradesh campaign committee, H K Patil, on Friday quit his post, owning responsibility for the party's dismal performance in Lok Sabha polls.
Mr Patil told the media here he sent his resignation letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi today morning.
In his letter, Mr Patil said all Congress leaders should introspect about factors which triggered such a massive downslide for the party. "As campaign committee chairman, I had the privilege to take the policies and message of the party to the people. In view of the debacle, I feel it my moral duty to own up the responsibility. Hence, with all humility I submit my resignation."
The former minister said though all party leaders should introspect about the defeat, it is time for the party to introspect, and use the defeat for initiating corrective measures and work out new strategies.
Mr Patil, however, did not reply to specific queries about changes which are critical for strengthening the party's organizational structure, including accommodation of more number of youth in posts held by senior leaders for long periods. He said these issues would be discussed at length whenever party leaders gather for introspection.
Answering a question on the impact of results of parliamentary election on the longevity of the coalition government in Karnataka, Mr Patil said legislators of the ruling coalition should remain vigilant and demonstrate unity as such debacles had a serious impact on the fate of the state government in the past.
Mr Patil said the campaign committee tried its best to convey messages of the state government to the masses but all efforts went in vain.
