Sibal announced to quit Congress soon after filing his nomination Rajya Sabha nomination paper as an independent candidate with the support of Samajwadi Party (SP).
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav were present at the time of filing the papers.
He said, “I filed nomination (for Rajya Sabha elections) as an independent candidate. I am thankful to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for supporting me. I also want to express my gratitude to Azam Khan for supporting me, Not just now but in many years, Sibal said, “It is important to have an independent voice. Being in the opposition, we want to form an alliance so that we can oppose the Modi government.”
“Today, Kapil Sibal filed his nomination papers. He is going to Rajya Sabha with the support of SP. Two more people can go to the House. Kapil Sibal is a senior lawyer. He has presented his opinion well in the Parliament. We are hopeful that he will present his opinion to both the SP as well as himself,” Akhilesh said.
The prospect of Sibal’s name as the SP’s choice for the Rajya Sabha had been intensified when a Supreme Court lawyer took up Azam Khan’s case in the apex court and finally ousted him last week. A senior party leader had said, “If he (Sibal) managed to successfully pursue Azam Khan’s bail and get the party veteran out of jail, the party should send him to the Upper House.”
Sibal was part of a group of 23 leaders (G23) who led the effort to bring about fundamental structural changes in the Congress.
Other names on the list
With the polling schedule for 11 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh looming large, hectic discussions have begun within the SP to shortlist the candidates who will be in the fray to make it to the Upper House. SP will nominate three candidates.
The candidature of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Choudhary is also under discussion. Some party leaders have also proposed the name of Dimple YadavFormer Kannauj MP and wife of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
During this, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) head ohm Prakash Rajbhari It is believed that Akhilesh Yadav is also expected to meet on this issue.
high-profile exit
Sibal’s resignation comes just days after Hardik Patel and Sunil Jakhar’s high-profile exit from the Congress.
The party had recently organized a contemplation camp aimed at devising ways to revive the party.
People keep coming and going: Congress
Reacting to Sibal’s exit, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that “people come and go from our party” and did not blame anyone for the move.
Venugopal said, “He had already written a letter to the party president. The letter states that he firmly believes in the values of Congress. He said nothing more. People come and go from our party. It is a big deal. is the party.”
He said the party would soon “completely rebuild” and wanted to undergo a comprehensive restructuring. “A lot of guidelines are being drawn up and each person will have a task,” he said at a press conference.
(with inputs from agencies)
watch Kapil Sibal: ‘Submitted his resignation from Congress party on 16 May’