All India Congress Committee (AICC) Presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor said a strong Congress party is needed in the country to take on the BJP at the Centre.
“We have lost two elections in a row, and whatever happens, we have to win the coming general elections. For this a strong party is needed.
Mr. Tharoor, contesting for the post of party president, had come here to campaign and seek support from PCC representatives. he is partying Senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge in the election.
Former Union Minister M. Pallam Raju with Mr. Tharoor at the press conference.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Tharoor said he would not back down from the election as it signals the abandonment of those who supported him.
No ‘G-23’ in Congress: Tharoor
Referring to the ‘G-23’ leaders in the Congress, who had reportedly written to the party high command, Mr Tharoor said there is no such group in the party.
“Let me make it clear that there is no such group. This is the view of the media. A couple of senior leaders wrote a letter. He invited a large number of people to lend his support. He told me that he had contacted about 100 people on the phone and supported them. At that time in 2020, there was a COVID-19 lockdown. Only 23 people were available in Delhi to sign it and that is why 23 people signed it. It could have been higher or it could have been less,” Mr Tharoor said.
“I had seen the Gandhi family personally. He has emphasized two things. The Gandhi family welcomed free and fair elections and felt that the number of contesting candidates would strengthen the party. And also, there will be no official candidates, and they will remain neutral. These are his words and he is saying it in a very friendly way, not in a hostile or critical way. Every option will be available to put forth its views before the allies of Congress,” Mr. Tharoor said.
Responding to a question, he said the campaign could be done through other means like conversation and phone messages. “I am happy to say that I have many well wishers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Let me emphasize Despite the respect I have for Mr Kharge, I am not going to back down, because to do so is to betray the allies across the country who have come forward and urged me to contest the elections,” Mr Tharoor said, adding that most of them are young and He will not disappoint them.