The Congress on Saturday dismissed Digvijaya Singh as its general secretary in Goa and Karnataka. Party President Sonia Gandhi named A Chella Kumar its chief in Goa and KC Venugopal in Karnataka, The Times of India reported.

The move comes soon after the Congress had won the most seats in Goa’s Assembly polls, but it had not managed to cobble together an alliance to form the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party had formed the government in both Goa and Manipur, despite the Congress winning more seats in those states.

Singh had faced criticism after the Congress’ debacle in Goa but had accused the BJP of buying its alliance partners there. “Money power has won over people’s power. I apologise to the people of Goa as we couldn’t muster the support to form the government,” Singh had said. Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is now the chief minister of Goa.