Kerala Congress rallies behind Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi

Resenting attempts by "certain quarters" to lay the blame on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the Congress's Lok Sabha poll debacle, the party in Kerala today rallied behind the duo expressing total confidence in their ability to regain the Congress's glory.

Speaking at a special convention of leaders and state functionaries addressed by Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said "blaming the leadership for the defeat is mere escapism".

Recalling that the Congress had passed through ups and downs in its long history, Chandy said, "We will pledge our total support to your venture to rebuild the party." Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president VM Sudheeran said the Congress leaders and workers would wholeheartedly join the mission undertaken by the AICC President to face the present challenges and strengthen the party.

Former KPCC chief and state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said Congress leaders and workers in the state had no doubt that the party would "make a spectacular comeback under the leadership of Soniaji and Rahulji".

Significantly, soon after the elections, former Kerala minister TH Mustaffa was suspended from the Congress for making adverse comments against Rahul Gandhi. Reciprocating the faith and confidence the leaders reposed on her, Gandhi lauded the organisational revamp process set in motion by the KPCC, terming it "an exemplary decision" which could be emulated by the arty in other states.

She also praised Chandy and other leaders for putting up a good showing in the Lok Sabha polls.

Former Union Minister Vayalar Ravi, AICC General Secretary Mukul Vasnik and senior party functionaries in the state attended the convention.