This was according to a detailed report prepared by the state unit of Congress on the reasons behind the poll debacle in Gujarat that saw Narendra Modi-led BJP making mincemeat of the party’s challenge.

“The detailed report has been submitted to the party President,” a senior party leader said. The report elaborates on how the “jugglery” done by the party, including the strategic mistake of over-dependence on the BJP rebels, in distribution of seats backfired and cost it as many as 17 seats.

Senior party leaders feel that the strategy of “Cocktail Congress” by ‘depending’ on several BJP rebels by granting them tickets in the Gujarat elections boomeranged badly.

A senior leader maintained that the strategy confused the voter who felt that Congress was not true to its ideological moorings and could adopt any tactics to demolish Modi.