Congress leaders repose faith in Sonia, Rahul's leadership

“But we were not expecting such a debacle in the elections. We are doing our studies and introspection as to what happened for this big defeat,” he said.

“After ruling the country continuously for last 10 years, people would have thought it is better to have a change. So we were rejected. We concede defeat. That doesn't mean that we have lost everything. We will definitely comeback under the present leadership itself,” he said.

Antony said the Congress does not have any “untouchability” towards Prime Minister elect Narendra Modi.

“He is India's Prime Minister. Parties... government are separate. Government of India is the government of all of us. The Congress has offered constructive support to the government,” said Antony, who is the Defence Minister in the outgoing government.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the political leadership of the party should also lead the Congress in Parliament.

“The logic is that there should be no division of authority, I think you will find a very united Congress Parliamentary Party at work in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha,” he said.

Asked whether Congress president Sonia Gandhi must lead the party in Parliament, he said, “This is my personal view.

If she finds it absolutely impossible for compelling reasons, then the vice president of the party is second in line.”

In a TV interview, Kamal Nath came in support of Milind Deora, who had questioned the role of Rahul Gandhi's advisors as well as “those who take the advice”.

“Milind Deora has said lot of right things... I agree to most of them and there should be people, who have electoral experience,” he added.