I'm not the one to accept defeat: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Reviewing the Uttar Pradesh poll debacle, Rahul Gandhi tonight warned against indiscipline in Congress and vowed to bring the party back to good days in the state saying he is not the one to accept defeat.

During the review meeting here, several state party leaders blamed the controversial statements by Union Ministers and others as one of the reasons for the defeat.

Winding up the two-day exercise, Gandhi declared he is not the one to accept defeat and that he would turn the party's fortunes in the politically most crucial state of the country.

"Everyone was blamed," former Union Minister Salim Shervani said after the meeting, insisting at the same time that no names were taken as regards the controversial statements.

Former MP Rajesh Mishra said Gandhi gave hints of an overhaul of the state party organisation, making it clear that his involvement with Uttar Pradesh will continue.

"I am not the one to accept defeat and I will strive to bring glory to the party in Uttar Pradesh," Gandhi was quoted by Mishra as having said in the meeting which lasted for nearly four hours.

Gandhi, according to Mishra, also sent a strong message that he would not tolerate indiscipline in the party.

Union ministers, including Salman Khurshid, Beni Prasad Verma and Sriprakash Jaiswal, whose statements during the poll campaign created controversy, were a subdued lot after the meeting in the face of questions from the media on whether they were pulled up.