Will Sonia and Rahul resign from positions in Congress?

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) is set to have a meeting on Monday in view of the party’s worst electoral humiliation. The leaders, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, have publically taken responsibility over the results, and are going to face the pressure over their failed campaign tactics.

Many suspect that president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi may offer their resignation, but some senior leaders have denied the possibility.

Congress has faced its worst-ever defeat in the history of the Indian elections after claiming only 44 seats in 543 member parliament, while BJP rose to power with a record majority in the last years.

There is also speculation that senior Congress leaders would call for a greater role in the party by Priyanka Gandhi whose entry into the party’s campaign, though late, received favorable reviews.

In response to the speculation, outgoing Congress minister Manish Tiwari said on CNN-IBN, “Where does the question of either the Congress president or vice president even rise? It is a collective responsibility for all of us, as a whole.”

Congress has run the country for last 10 years at the head of India’s left leaning coalition, and has ruled for all but 13 years since India attained independence.

The party’s defeat these elections have been attributed to a sharp economic slowdown, rising food prices, and a slew of corruption scandals.

Their campaigning also contributed to their loss as Rahul Gandhi was largely overshadowed by BJP leader Narendra Modi. Modi targeted the dynastic rule of the Gandhis in his campaign, as well promised his crowds to give them what the Congress “promised to, but did not”.

The Congress Working Party, the highest decision-making body within the party, will meet at 4:00 PM on Monday.