Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice president Rahul Gandhi Friday took responsibility for the party’s worst ever drubbing in the Lok Sabha election.

Addressing a brief press conference after it became clear that party would be relegated to a poor 50-odd seats, Sonia Gandhi said: “We with all humility accept the mandate of the people and hope that the new government at the centre will uphold the unity and interests of the country.”

“As president I take responsibility for the defeat,” she said and also congratulated the new government without naming BJP leader Narendra Modi, who is set to become the new prime minister of India.

A smiling Rahul Gandhi said he wanted to congratulate the new government.

“They have been given the mandate by the people, I want to wish them the best.”

“The Congress has done pretty badly, and there is a lot to think about…I hold myself responsible.”