from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, May 11: All India Congress Committee general secretary Margaret Alva on Friday said that the Congress failed short of its target in UP elections because of the lack of party organization at grass root level.

“It was most unfortunate that over last ten to fifteen years, the party organization in UP was not rejuvenated,” Alva said talking to reporters here in Goa, this afternoon as the poll results had started pouring in.

She, however, said that the Congress is planning for a long inning in UP irrespective of poll results. “Rahul (Gandhi) had repeatedly said that he is not there for short term but for a long battle over next five years,” the AICC general secretary said.

Alva is currently camping in Goa to oversee preparations for June two Goa legislative assembly elections and held meetings throughout the day with Goa leaders in Congress house while UP poll trends were pouring in.

“I am happy that another woman will be a chief minister,” Alva said referring to Mayawati. “We will give her all the support,” she said without elaborating on the “support.”

She, however, said that the party will not repeat the mistake in Goa and has already put its party organiZation in place even at the booth level.