Congress’s core group of G-23 dissidents is meeting again this evening at senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s house – his second meeting in 24 hours. Kapil Sibal, Anand and Bhupendra Hooda have reached the venue. The meeting is expected to be a feedback session – met Rahul Gandhi with Mr. Hooda earlier today. Some leaders have also indicated that concrete steps to move forward will be discussed in the meeting and such meetings will be held regularly from now onwards to keep pressure on the top leadership.
Troubled by the stand of loyalists in the Working Committee, which insists on reaffirming the leadership of the Gandhi family despite repeated defeats, dissidents have been holding several meetings since Friday. This time, the CWC, the party’s highest decision-making body, had turned down Sonia Gandhi’s offer to step down from all posts along with her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Yesterday 18 leaders – a mix of dissidents and some newcomers from six states – met to discuss the way forward after the party’s latest defeat in the state elections. The Congress has lost Punjab and practically wiped out in Uttar Pradesh and other states.
But the leaders’ reaction was downplayed, with a statement saying they were in favor of “collective, inclusive leadership” and demanding that the Congress be proactive and create a platform with other like-minded parties so that To counter BJP. 2024.
There was no word on organizational elections or a non-Gandhi leader at the helm, whose demand is slowly increasing.
Sources said the leaders have decided to part ways with the party for the time being. The rationale was that given its vulnerable position, it could crumble completely.
Mr Azad – one of the 23 leaders who wrote an explosive letter to Sonia Gandhi two years ago, demanding organizational elections and a complete change of its leadership – was expected to meet him today and deliver his message.
Senior party leader and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “Sonia Gandhi is ready for talks with every Congressman.” He said, “When there is a need that we should fight together, some politicians are making statements against the party. If their intention is right, why don’t they talk to Sonia Gandhi?” he questioned.
Earlier today, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda – who was present at yesterday’s meeting – met Rahul Gandhi after an outreach by the former Congress president.
Mr. Hooda was one of the few public leaders present at yesterday’s meeting, which also included Mani Shankar Aiyar, Raj Babbar and Shashi Tharoor.
Since the first G-23 letter, Gandhi family loyalists have been questioning the motives of the dissidents, alleging that they were unhappy with the weak prospects within the Congress. He has indicated that the party has been losing continuously with every election, hence the Rajya Sabha seats are not easy to come by.