G-23 leaders advocated change in Congress leadership

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
G-23 leaders Anand Sharma and Ghulam nabi Azad
G-23 leaders Anand Sharma and Ghulam nabi Azad

 

New Delhi

Sonia Gandhi’s continuation as the interim president of the Congress party was not without the dissidents lobby, G-23, questioning her decision on changes in Punjab Congress and overlooking the negative role of party president Navjot Singh Siddhu that led the party losing one of its last bastions of Punjab.

According to Mallikarjun Kharge, who briefed the media after the Congress Working Committee meeting that was called to discuss party’s poor show in yet another elections in five states, said "Congress interim president Sonia will lead us and will take future steps. We all have faith in her leadership," said Kharge after the party's working committee meeting.

According to sources, Ghulam nabi Azad told the meeting,“I am shocked and  my heart breaks seeing the defeat of the party from state to state. I have given my entire youth and life to the party and I am sure the leadership will take note of all the shortcomings and weaknesses of the party that I and and other have been talking about for a long time.”

He blamed the leadership for party’s defeat in Punjab as the decision to remove Amarinder Singh was taken too late. He also blamed the PCC president Navjot Singh Siddhu for working against the interests of the party in the election.

Meanwhile, G23 leader Anand Sharma backed Azad and reiterated the demand for a leadership change in the party.

Another G23 leader Shashi Tharoor reiterated his call for reforms in the Congress party and said, "It is time to reaffirm idea of India that the Congress has stood for and the positive agenda it offers the nation and to reform our organizational leadership in a manner that will reignite those ideas and inspire people. One thing is clear - Change is unavoidable if we need to succeed.”

At one stage Sonja Gandhi reportedly said if everyone wanted the Gandhis to quit, they were ready to make sacrifice.

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Digvijaya Singh, P Chidambaram, Harish Rawat, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal attended the meeting.

Among other top leaders present in the meet were Chhattishgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Shaktisinh Gohil, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Rajiv Shukla, Ambika Soni, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tewari.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and five other senior Congress leaders skipped the meeting.

Former defence minister AK Antony skipped the meeting as he tested positive for COVID-19 and has also announced his retirement from politics.