Rahul Gandhi does not need a fall guy: Congress

New Delhi, March 5: Rahul Gandhi does not need a fall guy, Congress said on Monday on the eve of the counting for votes in Uttar Pradesh.

Party spokesperson Renuka Chowhdary deflected a volley questions on the issue of responsibility if the party did not perform well in UP.

"Why are you asking hypothetical questions. The counting is tomorrow," she said.

Harping on the "collective effort" argument, Chowdhary said Gandhi has strengthened party organisation in the state.

Asked about NCP chief Sharad Pawar's statement that Rahul Gandhi will be blamed if Congress fared badly in UP, she said, "It's a collective effort. As the leader works, we should work down the line also. He motivates. The job is to convert that motivation into votes and workers at booth level."

"Why for Rahul only. It will come for the whole country, the entire organisation of the party. Patience always pays," was her refrain when asked whether the results in UP will show where Rahul's politics is heading to.

She said Congress will be a winner in the results of the five states and there is a need to look at the elections in a holistic manner.

A party leader speaking on the condition of anonymity asked "why should Rahul Gandhi pick up a fall guy. I do not think Rahul needs any" and argued that the success of Congress in this election is that "BSP has been sent home".

"Rahul had been saying in the poll campaign that BSP will lose badly. And that is happening. Sending the elephant home is what mattered," said a leader.

Another party leader, who has worked closely during the polls in UP, said "this time we have ploughed the land in UP.

"We will cultivate the crop from Lok Sabha elections." The leader hoped that the party would win at least 50 seats and could lose about two dozen with very slender margins, where consolidation is possible latter.

PTI