DPCC chief resigns, takes responsibility for poll debacle

DPCC President J.P. Agarwal. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma

Taking “moral responsibility” for the party’s debacle in the recently held State Assembly elections, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president, J.P. Agrawal has resigned from the party post.

Sources in the party told The Hindu that Mr. Agrawal had sent his resignation to the party high command on December 10 - a day after former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit blamed the State unit for not extending the required support in the election campaign. Mr. Agrawal had, however, remained mum on the issue saying he would speak only at a right forum.

Stalwarts lose

The party had fielded all the 43 sitting MLAs in the polls. However, only eight of the 70 Congress candidates emerged victorious in the recently held polls. Most of the party stalwarts in Delhi Assembly lost heavily, with most of them being relegated to the third and fourth place.

The eight victorious legislators met party vice-president Rahul Gandhi two days ago to give their feedback on the party’s performance. Sources said they had complained about the limitations of the party organisation.

Neither Mr. Agrawal, nor DPCC spokesperson Jitendra Kochchar responded to the repeated calls and SMS.