Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said completing 15 years as the party chief was “not an easy task” but gave credit to party cadre in helping her accomplish the job.

“It was not an easy task. But it was made possible due to your support and the love and affection of grassroot and ordinary workers which made the task easier and the credit goes to them,” the leaders, who met Gandhi at her residence, quoted her as saying.

Several Congress leaders, including Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, telecom minister Kapil Sibal, minister of state for planning Rajeev Shukla, Delhi Congress Chief JP Agarwal went to Gandhi’s residence to congratulate her.

“We thanked her for leading the party and strengthening it. Her contribution for the party is laudable,” minister of state for planning Shukla said.

Gandhi is currently in her fourth term which expires in 2015. Changes have been made in the party constitution that now mandates organisational polls after five years instead of three.

Gandhi has already created history by becoming the longest serving chief of the 127-year-old organisation.