The occasion was a function of an NGO called 'Gandhi Global Family', but the stage was used by 'dissident' Congress leaders to send out a strong message to Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. The group of 23 senior Congressman has been unofficially referred to as the 'G-23' faction. Without mincing any words, the group of Congress 'dissenters' fired salvo after salvo at the party high command. Although the disgruntled leaders did not name the Gandhi family directly, a stern message was sent out to them that they need to introspect over the party's present state.
So, what led to the latest outburst of the 'G-23' faction against the party high command?
1) Congress high commands no inclination to re-nominate Azad to the upper house of Parliament
2) Party chose Mallikarjun Kharge, a Rahul Gandhi loyalist instead of Anand Sharma for the Leader of Opposition post in the Rajya Sabha
3) Rahul Gandhi's recent controversial 'North-South' remarks
4) The pending decisions on the new party president and other organisational matters
5) Sidelining of 'G-23' leaders in the party after the letter controversy
6) Azad's experience not being used to forge alliances, negotiate seat-sharing agreements in the four states and one UT which are going to the polls.
As the internal Congress battle intensifies, the question on everyone's mind is- what next for the grand old party? Can the Congress high command afford to take disciplinary action against the 'G-23' faction?
Although the party has not announced any such measure yet, but the Congress has expressed disappointment at their outburst.
"They (G-23) are an integral part of the Congress family. We respect them. But it would have been better if they helped the party in the five states which are going to the polls,"
spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told media personal
The coming days and months are going to be very critical for Congress. The party not only faces an uphill task to revive itself, but also to pacify its disgruntled leaders. Gandhi family also has its task cut out. They first need to set their party's house in order and then, also take a decision on the new leadership of the Congress.
If the Congress party faces defeat in the forthcoming assembly polls, it would further embolden the 'G-23' faction who will then intensify its demand for a complete revamp of the party. All eyes will be, therefore, on the assembly elections results which would be declared on May 2.
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