Frequently it has been suggested by leaders both within the party and other opposition parties that the Congress must have a change in leadership to become stronger.
Kapil Sibal, former Union Minister, hosted a dinner at his Delhi home on Monday for a number of opposition leaders. The dinner was held on the occasion of his birthday celebration, but also became a meeting point for the opposition against the Narendra Modi government.
Questions were also asked about the rejuvenation of the Congress, which some leaders present suggested can only be happen if the Gandhis were freed from the clutches of their leadership, sources said. The Gandhis were not present at the gathering.
Last year, Mr Sibal had written an explosive letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, expressing concern over the party’s slide since it lost power in 2014.
The invitees at the dinner also included other leaders who are pushing for a change, like P Chidambaram, Shashi Tharoor and Anand Sharma. All three are among the leaders who have been raising questions within the party about its future.
The opposition leaders present included Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, NCP’s Sharad Pawar, Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien and Omar Abdullah of National Conference.
Delhi: NCP chief Sharad Pawar, TMC MP Derek O'Brien, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor & Anand Sharma & other Opposition leaders arrive at Kapil Sibal's residence for a meeting pic.twitter.com/RgHsMXDBmj
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2021
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Mr Sibal had started off by attacking the government, and explaining how every institution has been destroyed during its tenure. He also highlighted the need for all opposition parties to work with a clear focus.
Omar Abdullah pointed out that whenever the Congress is strong, the opposition becomes stronger and questioned what steps were being taken to strengthen the party.
Naresh Gujral of the Akali Dal directly attacked the Gandhis, saying unless the party gets out of the clutches of the family, it will be very difficult to strengthen the party.
Frequently it has been suggested by leaders both within the party and other opposition parties that the Congress, to get strengthened, must have a change in leadership. However, several leaders have been pushing for a comeback by Rahul Gandhi.
Asked about the issue, Mr Gandhi in an interview with news organisation Press Trust of India, had said, “It is for the party workers to decide as to who should lead the party. I will do whatever the party wants me to do”.
Lalu Yadav, who till lately had been in jail and made a rare appearance, he urged the opposition parties to work together and remove the BJP.
Mr Chidambaram suggested that the Congress should come to an understanding with the regional parties in states to put up a united front against the BJP. Many opposition leaders also said that a beginning has been made and all political leaders must work together to defeat the BJP.
The attendees also wished Akhilesh Yadav luck for next year’s assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
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