Rahul Gandhi resigns as leader of the Indian National Congress

Mr Gandhi cited his failure to win May's election in a four-page resignation letter

Rahul Gandhi resigned as leader of the Indian National Congress on Wednesday. Reuters file photo.

Rahul Gandhi resigned as the leader of the Indian National Congress on Wednesday, citing his failure to win the 2019 general election.

The move ends weeks of speculation over whether the country's main opposition leader would continue at the head of his party following a crushing defeat to the Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party in May.

"As President of the Congress Party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election," Mr Gandhi wrote in a four-page letter announcing his resignation.

While the dynasty politician accepted responsibility for the Congress Party's defeat, Mr Gandhi did not hold back from criticising the BJP.

"I have no hatred or anger towards the BJP but every living cell in my body instinctively resists their idea of India," he said.

"Where they see hatred, I see love. What they fear, I embrace," Mr Gandhi wrote.

The INC won only 52 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, compared to the BJP's 303.