During elections to TMC president and vice-president seats, whip was issued to Congress party members to vote in favour of a Congress party member.

However, some of them voted for   opposition party members. Strict action will be taken against these members, said Mr Parameshwar.

“I hold myself responsible for the party’s defeat in the elections,” he said in a press meet held on Saturday at Madhugiri.

“I was away to New Delhi to meet party High Command. During that time, due to irresponsible behaviour of the local Congress leader, the party had to face defeat,” he alleged.

Meantime, Congress party workers met Mr Parameshwar and expresses their ire against the local Congress leader who, they alleged, had taken money from JD(S) Chennigappa’s son Gaurishankar to vote in favour of JD(S).

Following his directions, other Congress members too voted for JD(S) and hence Congress lost the polls, they said.