‘There were only 23 signatories to that letter but the number of people supporting our views is many, many more’
The group of 23 letter writers (G-23), who wrote a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi in August last year, demanding reforms, were not dissatisfied, but patrons of the Congress’s legacy, senior Congress leaders and G-23 heads Members were Kapil Sibal. , Said on Sunday.
In an interview with Hindu, Mr. Sibal spoke about his public meeting in Jammu on 27 February and said that the leaders spoke at the Jammu meeting to “strengthen the Congress”.
Also read: ‘Congress G-23’ tightens Congress
He claimed that his letter may have 23 signatures in August 2020, but “many more people within the party” support his views.
When asked about the exclusion of key members of the G-23 from the list of star campaigners for the upcoming Bengal and Assam assembly elections, Mr. Sibal said he would “play a positive and constructive role even if he is not assigned a role” “.
‘We are not dissatisfied, but are the defenders of Congress’
Edited excerpts:
Do you think it was right for the Congress party to perform in the middle of the assembly elections in Jammu?
Well, I think this naming of the G-23 is something that has been coined by the press. There were only 23 signatories to that letter but the number of people supporting our views is many, many more. We are not dissatisfied, we are the defenders of Congress’s legacy. We are not against anyone, we are Congress supporters. We believe that the Congress needs to be strengthened. And this is exactly what we said in Jammu, that we all have to strengthen the Congress Party together. Because it is the only national option that can end the rot established at the instance of this government. The great heritage of this country is being destroyed as reflected in the Constitution of India. The government is destroying all constitutional structures. Actually, in my speech in Jammu [on February 27], I attacked the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and said that the wealth of this country is in the hands of few people. We are not dissatisfied, we are the defenders of the Congress party and this is what we demonstrated in Jammu during our speeches.
Also read: An old ideology for a new time: Congress leadership on crisis
Some of your colleagues said that statements by some G-23 leaders only help the BJP. He also argues that the call for reforms is motivated by personal views, such as the Rajya Sabha seat or the role of the Leader of the Opposition.
My post [in the Rajya Sabha] Expiring in 2022. So blissful [Anand Sharma] Words. Shashi [Tharoor] And manish [Tewari] Member of Lok Sabha. Therefore their terms are up to 2024. Many other members are not members of either the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha. Where is the question of directing us by personal will due to the Rajya Sabha seat. This is absurd as these issues were raised by us since 2019 and have nothing to do with any dissatisfaction.
Is the G-23 now reduced to the G-8 because we see as many people in Jammu?
Frankly, I think it is the wish of every Congress person to strengthen the party. This is what the so-called G-23 stood for. Where is the question of G-23 or G-7 or G-8? There is no such question as we are all part of the Congress party, except that some of us have reflected our concerns. I am sure that in the coming times, all this will definitely be taken into consideration. I can assure you that there are many, many more who agree with us on these issues.
It has been more than six months since that letter, when asked for reforms, was given to Ms. Gandhi. A follow-up meeting took place in December. Have things changed in these six months?
Well, the good thing was that one of the decisions was that there would be an election for the office of Chairman and Working Committee. And temporarily that date is set in June. So we are happy that, at least, there is some further movement, but we need more interaction with the party leadership. Everyone is busy strengthening the party and is expecting a pleasant outcome for the Congress party in these elections, and therefore, there is not much interaction at this point. And rightly so. I am sure that when the elections are held, this whole process will regain its momentum.
The Congress’ list of star campaigners turned out for Bengal and Assam but omits prominent names among the G-23s.
We are not stars, we are Congress workers. And the worker will do whatever he can to ensure that the Congress party wins. Even if we are not entrusted, we will play a positive, constructive role to ensure that these states can benefit to the extent of Congress.
Do you think this is a reflection of the leadership’s mood as the Jammu meeting did not go well?
I do not want to give any motive to anyone. I think the party has the discretion to decide who are the stars and which stars shine and which are the ones who have lost their luster.
Will the G-23 decide the future fare of the Congress in these elections?
We are not in favor of the party. Therefore, there is no question of future strategy. Everything we say is that in the state we are in today, we should work hard and stand up for the Congress. Bring all opposition parties on one platform. Since the Congress party is the only national party that can oppose the BJP, it should be at the center of the platform, which includes all other opposition leaders to fight the Modi government.
But the question is, who is going to lead the Congress? Ms. Gandhi has been working as the interim chief for almost two years now and Rahul Gandhi is not keen on assuming the reins. What do you have
My take is very simple: there can be no party without a leader. When you go to the polls [party elections]A leader will emerge within the Congress party.
Will the G-23 nominate one candidate from the letter writers?
Who am I to decide on these issues? Whoever the candidate is, at that point, the Congressmen will decide whether to contest the election or not. It depends on who is standing.
So, if you contest Mr. Gandhi’s election, you will not field a candidate?
I did not say anything like that. Whether Mr. Gandhi stands or he does not stand is not an issue. Under the Constitution of Congress, any person is entitled to stand.
How are you watching these assembly elections?
Unfortunately, in some states, we have not had a presence for many years. Therefore, you cannot expect a tsunami in favor of the Congress party. But the alliances that we have, we hope to benefit from it. All Congressmen should try their best to win maximum seats for the party. In Kerala, we hope to win; In Assam, there is substantial dissatisfaction with the Sonowal government. So here we are. These are big states where we can expect to form a government on our own.
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