The Congress once again threw a protective ring around party president Rahul Gandhi after a debacle in the Lok Sabha polls as buzz gained ground that he has offered to quit the post owning 100% responsibility for the poor show.

The Congress not only failed to increase its tally substantially from its worst ever performance of winning 44 seats in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, but Rahul also faced a humiliating defeat from the family pocketborough Amethi.

“I take 100% responsibility for this defeat,” Rahul told reporters at a press conference, but refused to go into the reasons for the party’s dismal performance. “Janata maalik hai (people are supreme). People have given a clear decision,” Rahul said holding out an assurance to party workers that the Congress would win “eventually”.

“That you can leave it between me and the Congress Working Committee,” he shot back when asked whether he would step down as Congress chief. The Congress scotched the resignation buzz. “Reports of Congress president offering resignation are incorrect,” Randeep Singh Surjewala, in-charge of AICC communication department, said.