Hyderabad, March 22 : Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha on Thursday said that the entire Congress party cadre would be collectively held responsible for the debacle in the by-elections held for seven Assembly constituencies in the State.

Talking to media persons at Assembly premises, Damodar Rajanarasimha stated that the by-election results have increased the responsibility of all leaders and they would have to work hard to strengthen the party at all levels. He said that the party would convene a meeting to find out the reasons for defeat of party's candidates in the by-elections. Stating that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy should own prime responsibility for the debacle, he asked him to rectify his mistakes made in selection of candidates. He said that the Chief Minister might have to quit his post, if he fails to accept his mistakes. Describing the by-poll results as a clear warning, he said that the party would fight collectively in the next by-elections. Rajanarasimha said that BJP candidate Y Sreenivas Reddy was elected from Mahbubnagar Assembly constituency due to the communlisation of elections. However, he said that the people would not believe the communal BJP based on its victory on one seat.

The Deputy CM said that the High Command was fully aware of the by-election results and hoped that it would take a favourable decision on Telangana state.