Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice  president Rahul Gandhi Friday took responsibility for the party's worst ever drubbing in the Lok Sabha election.

 

 Addressing a brief press conference after it became clear that party would be relegated to a poor 50-odd seats, Sonia Gandhi said: "We with all humility accept the mandate of the people and hope that the new government at the centre will uphold the unity and interests of the country."

 

 "As president I take responsibility for the defeat," she said and also congratulated  the new government without naming BJP leader Narendra Modi, who is set to become the new prime minister of India.

 

 A smiling Rahul Gandhi said he wanted to congratulate the new government. 

 

 "They have been given the mandate by the people, I want to wish them the best."

 

 "The Congress has done pretty badly, and there is a lot to think about…I hold  myself responsible."