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.
It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2019
I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V
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.
