Loss of life Knell for Congress? With Anand Sharma's Exit, Gandhis Lose Battle of Notion as Loyalists Abandon Ship
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“I'm dedicated to the Congress ideology that runs in my blood; let there be no doubts about this. Nevertheless, given the persevering with exclusion and insults, as a self-respecting individual, I used to be left with no alternative”. With these phrases, veteran Congress chief Anand Sharma resigned from the apex steering committee set as much as lead the planning for the Himachal Pradesh state elections slated for later this yr.
Sharma’s resignation comes days after Ghulam Nabi Azad, one other member of the G-23 — the group of dissidents inside the Grand Outdated Occasion — resigned from an identical committee arrange for Jammu and Kashmir. Azad’s exit was adopted by a sequence of resignation from the identical committee.
Whereas the Congress prime brass in Delhi was dismissive and most popular to disregard the resignation of each Azad and Sharma, the developments expose lack of religion within the Gandhis and are additionally a sign that every one is clearly not nicely inside the social gathering that has been struggling to reverse its electoral losses and hold its home so as.
Curiously, Sharma’s resignation comes amid the Congress kick-starting the method to elect its subsequent president. Chatting with .com, the chief mentioned: “Examine the data. Was I ever invited for any assembly? Was I even consulted earlier than being made the chairman? They didn't seek the advice of Mr Azad as nicely. It is a repeated insult for many people members of the G-23.”
The G-23 had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi final yr, demanding organisational elections and criticising the truth that election technique was nonetheless formulated by a handful within the social gathering which had led to the Congress’ repeated defeats in state elections. Whereas Sonia Gandhi met some G-23 members and promised them that an organisational change would happen quickly, the dissidents are nonetheless ready for it to fructify. Add to it the truth that Rahul Gandhi is having fun with all powers minus the accountability, the grievances of many senior Congress leaders are on the rise as they really feel that a new coterie is rising.
The issue is that Rahul Gandhi is reluctant to be the Congress president and the social gathering faces the robust resolution of choosing a non-Gandhi to guide it since each Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are equally reluctant to carry the fort.
Whereas critics of Anand Sharma argue that he's not a grassroots chief and therefore can’t do a lot hurt in Himachal polls, the actual fact is that he has been one of many staunchest loyalists of the Gandhis, particularly Sonia Gandhi. After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, when Sitaram Kesri tightened his grip over the social gathering and lots of criticised and deserted Sonia Gandhi, Sharma was among the many few who stood by her and goaded her to affix lively politics. Azad, too, has been one of many oldest Congress leaders who rose to energy for the reason that instances of Indira Gandhi.
It will even be facile to imagine that Sharma’s resignation hasn’t actually hit the highest brass. In Punjab, when Capt Amarinder Singh cut up to kind his personal social gathering, he might have misplaced the polls however he ended up damaging the Congress within the state and constructing the notion that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can not hold the social gathering collectively. The fear is analogous in Sharma’s case and makes an attempt are being made to placate him on the state stage. Nevertheless, any additional statements by Sharma, Azad or any G-23 member will solely make the Gandhis look weaker.
Sources say Sharma is planning a tell-all press convention in Shimla quickly, with extra G-23 members planning to return out within the open concerning the social gathering’s failings.
With such loyalists rebelling, it's the Gandhis who lose the notion battle. It additionally exposes the truth that not many seniors can be comfy working with Rahul Gandhi. Sharma and a few leaders like Kapil Sibal have maintained that if Rahul Gandhi is reluctant to develop into president, the social gathering ought to take a look at different choices.
With the countdown to social gathering and state polls having begun and regional events respiration down the neck of the Congress, the Gandhis are discovering themselves in a decent spot with their invincibility and grip over the social gathering loosening.
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