The turmoil in Punjab Congress and the G-23 offensive against the leadership has triggered a bitter war of words, with Congress leaders slamming Kapil Sibal and some others for raising concerns about “instability in Punjab”.
Former MP and Delhi leader Ajay Maken said, “Sonia Gandhi had ensured that Sibal became a minister at the Centre despite not having an organisational background. Everyone in the party is being heard. Want to tell Sibal and others that they shouldn’t degrade the organization that gave them an identity.”
Congress workers, holding placards saying “get well soon”, protested outside Sibal’s residence, accusing him of betraying the party.
Youth Congress president B V Srinivas accused the G-23 of deserting the party in times of struggle while enjoying benefits during its good days. He tweeted, “Hear ‘Ji-Huzoor’: The ‘President’ and ‘Leadership’ of the party are the same, Who always took you to Parliament, Made you a ‘minister’ during the good times of the party. When in opposition, you were sent to Rajya Sabha, Always rewarded with responsibilities in good and bad times. And when the ‘time’ came for the struggle, then…”
Sibal, in turn, noted that they were not a “ji huzoor” group and were seeking answers to relevant queries.
In a jibe at G-23, Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel tagged a clip from the movie ‘Gandhi’ and tweeted: “The ‘suit-boot’ club, whether in the government or in the organisation, proves to be neither good for the public nor for the party. This message of Gandhiji should be heard. Today Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are raising the voice of the farms and barns and the poor, this is the Congress.”
However, fingers were also pointed inwards. Congress MP Manish Tewari said the turmoil in Punjab could give Pakistan a handle to fish in troubled waters, stressing that it is a border state which is already protesting against the farm laws. “Punjab is already witnessing anger against the farm laws, and in these circumstances, the present politics in the state can have serious security implications,” he said.
Tiwari said that during the days of militancy, Punjab had lost around 25,000 people and there are apprehensions that the ‘deep state’ in Pakistan may again try to destabilise things. Tiwari also said that the change of leadership that resulted in the ouster of Amarinder Singh was not handled properly.
Meanwhile, apparently unperturbed by the turmoil in Congress, Rahul Gandhi said in Kerala, “My problem with the Prime Minister is that he is breaking relationships between Indian people. If he’s breaking relationships between people of India, he’s attacking the idea of India. That is why I oppose him.”
Congress sits on Kerala veteran’s resignation
The Congress brass hasn’t accepted Kerala veteran VM Sudheeran’s resignation from and efforts are on to persuade him to stay back, the party said on Wednesday. Congress’s Kerala minder Tariq Anwar said the AICC was aware of “serious differences of opinion” within the state unit and would do whatever it takes to bridge the divide through discussions. Sources said the high command was concerned about the old guard not supporting those entrusted with the responsibility of bringing about a change in the party.
