'Hurt sentiments of party workers': Gehlot attacks Sibal, affirms faith in Cong leadership

infighting within Congress came to fore once again on Monday after Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot publicly slammed Kapil Sibal's criticism of party. According to Gehlot, Sibal talking about Congress' internal issues in media h "hurt sentiments of party workers". Recalling that Congress h emerged stronger from various crises such as those seen in 1969, 1977, 1989 and 1996, Gehlot exuded confidence in party overcoming current lean phase also.

To buttress his point, he highlighted formation of UPA government in 2004 under leership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Rajasthan CM stressed that rank and file of party has consistently shown "undivided and firm belief" in Congress leership. Moreover, he affirmed that Congress is "only party" which can keep India united and take it forward on path of "comprehensive development". 

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Kapil Sibal stirs debate

Sibal, one of 23 senior Congress leers who h expressed dissatisfaction with party's leership, again raised probing questions after debacle in Bihar Assembly election and bypolls. In an exclusive interview with Indian Express, he contended that people of country "don't consider Congress to be an effective alternative". former Union Minister alleged that re was a reluctance to dress issues within party as Congress Working Committee is a "minated body".

Weighing in on Congress' lack of introspection, Sibal said, "If for six years Congress has t introspected what hope do we have for introspection w? We kw what is wrong with Congress. Organisationally, we kw what is wrong. I think we have all answers. Congress party itself kws all answers. But y are t willing to recognise those answers."

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Indicating that Congress leership is taking it "business as usual" despite party managing to win only 19 out of 70 seats in Bihar, Rajya Sabha MP stressed, " culture of minations must go. Elections through minations will t le to desired results. Some of us put our pen to paper and said what should be done in Congress on ro ahe. Inste of listening to us, y turned ir back on us. results are for all to see."

Dissenting letter by 23 Congress leers

In a letter dressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on August, 23 senior party leers observed that uncertainly over leership and drift in party have weakened Congress and demoralized workers. letter reportedly mentioned many suggestions such as need for a full-time leership available at national and state hequarters, conducting elections at all levels including Congress Working Committee and state level, formation of an Independent Election Authority, and institutional leership mechanism to guide party's revival. Despite high-octane drama at  CWC meeting, it was decided that Sonia Gandhi will continue as interim president at least until next AICC session is convened. 

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