New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS): Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday said her party's defeat in assembly elections called for "deep introspection" and it would study "the many reasons for this defeat".

Congratulating her "opponents" for winning in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, a sombre Gandhi told the media that she was "very, very disappointed" with the election results.

"This result calls for deep introspection," she said. "We have to understand to look at the many reasons for this defeat. We have to look into the way we did not take our message to the people.

"Also, we have to look at our own party if it is well equipped in running an election (campaign)."

Gandhi admitted that "many people were obviously unhappy (with the Congress). Otherwise there would not have been such results".

She said rising prices of essential commodities was an issue with the electorate.

"We will introspect seriously and we will take all necessary action... We will rectify our mistakes."

We will give you party you will be proud of: Rahul

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Sunday said his party would learn from its defeat in state elections and vowed to "give you a party you will be proud of".

"The Congress has the ability to stand up to the expectations of the people," Gandhi told the media after the BJP won elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and finished on top in Delhi.

"We will give you a party you will be proud of, and that has your voice embedded inside," he added.

Gandhi, who was the star campaigner for the Congress in all four states, also promised to "involve people (in the party) in a way you cannot even imagine right now".