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Voters deal heavy blow to India's next Gandhi
NBC News Clone summarizes the latest on: Voters Deal Heavy Blow Indias Next Gandhi Flna330268 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone. This article is rewritten and presented in a simplified tone for a better reader experience.
India's ruling Congress party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi (2L) comes out from his residence to address the media in New Delhi on March 6, 2012. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party politician seen as India's prime-minister-in-waiting, accepted responsibility for poor results in state elections in which he had led campaigning. AFP PHOTO/ SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP - Getty Images
Samajwadi Party supporters, faces smeared with colored powder, celebrate by burning firecrackers at their party office in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Election officials across five Indian states Tuesday began counting votes in crucial provincial elections that are being seen as a test of strength for the country's ruling Congress party. (AP Photo/ Manish Swarup)Manish Swarup / AP
The Congress party flop in India's most politically vital state was also a blow to the already-tottering government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, reducing his scope to re-launch reforms and reverse a slowdown in economic growth.
"It has been a disaster for the Congress, it's an even bigger disaster for Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family," political analyst Amulya Ganguli said as results came in from Uttar Pradesh and four smaller states that went to the polls.
With the count nearing its conclusion on Tuesday, the Congress party was trailing in fourth place in the big northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which with 200 million people would be the world's fifth-most populous country if independent.
India's ruling Congress party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi (2L) comes out from his residence to address the media in New Delhi on March 6, 2012. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party politician seen as India's prime-minister-in-waiting, accepted responsibility for poor results in state elections in which he had led campaigning. AFP PHOTO/ SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP - Getty Images
"I accept responsibility for the fact that we did not perform well. After all, I was the main campaigner ... the Congress party fought well, but the result is not good," the 41-year-old Gandhi said.
There was also mostly disappointing news for Congress from other states that went to the polls over the past month. It was heading for a loss in Punjab, Goa and possibly Uttarakhand too, but was set to win in the far-flung border state of Manipur. Read the full story.
Samajwadi Party supporters smear party flag colored powder on each others' faces as they celebrate the early leads of the party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav outside the party office in Lucknow, India, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Election officials across five Indian states Tuesday began counting votes in crucial provincial elections that are being seen as a test of strength for the country's ruling Congress party. (AP Photo/Rakesh Kumar Singh)Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP
