Cong concedes defeat, says will respect the people's mandate

Dehra Dun, Feb 27 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Narayan Datt Tiwari and PCC chief Harish Rawat today conceded defeat in the state's second-ever assembly election, terming the adverse mandate as an expression of the people's will.

''If the people want us to sit in the opposition, we will do so and perform this role to the best of our ability,'' Mr Tiwari said.

On the purported fight between the government and the party, which is said to have impacted on the Congress' chances, he denied any differences. ''It is the party's right to point out shortcomings in the administration... this cannot be termed as criticism. It is for them to point out if we are not fulfilling the promises in the manifesto,'' he said.

''Besides, winning and losing is a part of electoral politics,'' Mr Tiwari added.

Asked about his future plans, the octogenarian politician, who has also been Chief Minister of the neighbouring and parent state of Uttar Pradesh thrice as well as holding key portfolios in the Union government during his more than a half-century long political career, quipped that he would ''solicit advice in this regard'' from the questioner.

Mr Rawat did admit that some ''misuse of power'' did cost the party heavily. ''Despite, the Congress' extensive efforts to ensure speedy and all-round development, the expectations of the people were too much,'' he said.

UNI