Ganesh Godiyal, the president of the Uttarakhand Congress, resigned on Tuesday, accepting moral responsibility for the party's electoral setback in the state. According to the news agency The Hindu, Mr. Godiyal wrote to AICC President Sonia Gandhi, saying, "As you are aware, despite your cooperation and the efforts of the state party leadership, the Congress had to face defeat. Being the PCC president, I resign from my post owning moral responsibility for it." Mr. Godiyal claimed he was ready to quit on the day the election results were announced, but he was awaiting orders from the high command. In the recent Uttarakhand Assembly elections, the Congress was trounced by the BJP. Only 19 of the 70 seats were won by the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 47 seats.

Key Points

• Ganesh Godiyal, the president of the Uttarakhand Congress, resigned on Tuesday, accepting moral responsibility for the party's electoral setback in the state.

• In the recent Uttarakhand Assembly elections, the Congress was trounced by the BJP. Only 19 of the 70 seats were won by the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 47 seats.