Reacting to statements by dissident Congress party leaders Kapil Sibal, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Raj Babbar and Anand Sharma criticising the party, Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar hit out at 'G-23' dissident leaders, asking them to shun the politics of opportunism. In a statement, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president referred to remarks of the party leaders, made at a public event, and said those opposing reforms in the organisation were doing a great disservice not only to the party but also to the country.
The statement comes in the backdrop of Azad praising PM Modi at a rally. Azad on Sunday had said that he likes leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi who are proud of their roots, and noted that Modi speaks frankly about his past as a tea-seller. "I, myself, had come from a village and I am proud of being a villager. I admire a lot of things about leaders like our prime minister who also says that he was from a village. He used to sell tea. I might have political differences with Modi but he is also frank about his past of being a chaiwala [tea-seller]," Azad said.
Jakhar said some senior party leaders were indulging in politics of opportunities, that too at a time when every Congress worker is fighting the grave battle to save and preserve the idea of India "under assault from oppressive central regime". He said the country needs the Congress to engage in politics of struggle to raise the voice of the common man on the street and urged these leaders to take up issues of the public. Referring to Sibal's statement about the need to further strengthen the party, the Punjab Congress chief invited him to join him in working "for the people on the streets to make the party and the country stronger".
Last week, in a public show of dissent, the 'G-23' leaders, including Azad, Sharma and Sibal had pressed for a leadership change and organisational overhaul in the Congress. They had said that the party had weakened over the years and they will work to strengthen it. Sibal said they came here to take forward the Congress party to new heights. We promise those who are sitting here and many more who are outside and support us, that we will work to strengthen the party. "We want Congress to be strengthened in every district of the country. We do not want Congress to be weak because if Congress is weak, the nation will be weak. We will sacrifice whatever necessary to make the nation and the party strong," he said.
