New Delhi:Amid reports of an internal rift within the Congress over the issue of leadership, the party's suspended spokesperson Sanjay Jha on Tuesday said that the grand old party must soon find a new president to inspire the voters, as it was the only alternative to the BJP.
In an exclusive interview with senior journalist Amit Agnihotri, Jha spoke about the absence of internal democracy, leadership vacuum, and ideological confusion within the party.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Q - Why do you think the Congress is in such a mess?
Well, one reason is that we don't have a clearly defined leader who will lead the Congress in 2024. Also there is an absence of internal democracy in the party which has weakened the core structure of the AICC. Because people do not know who is the right person occupying the right responsibility. There has been organizational weakness, a leadership vacuum and even an ideological confusion within the party. These three factors have played a very important role. We need to encourage a lot more state leaders and make the party a vibrant internal democracy.
Q - Who is responsible for this situation?
The buck always stops at the top. So it has to be the responsibility of the Congress president and the Congress Working Committee who have to collectively stand up and tell us why they are allowing this drift in the party. This has ended up making the job of the BJP very easy.
Read:Sonia to continue as interim Congress chief, CWC says no one can be permitted to undermine the party
Q - The CWC met yesterday to discuss the leadership issue but ended up endorsing the status quo?
If the party ignores the issues raised by 23 senior leaders, it will do so at its own peril. These are very well articulated recommendations and make a great deal of political sense. The fact these recommendations are coming from some of the senior most leaders and younger leaders is a clear message to the party that we need to reinvent ourselves. If the Congress party does not change now we are writing our own obituary.
Q - Are there more such dissenters in the Congress?
I don't call them dissenters, I call them democratic voices of the party. These are people who are ideologically committed to the Congress and are passionate advocates of the party. They believe only the Congress can take on the BJP. There are over 300 such leaders in the party who support the views expressed in the letter.
Q- So, what should the Congress do to stay relevant?
To begin with the party should immediately appoint the Congress president who is active and visible on the ground. One who is able to galvanise the workers and motivate the voters and has the ability to inspire the higher rank and file of the party by arousing their passion to fight the BJP. At present, our workers are unmotivated and discouraged. We need a leader who can create a vision for the Congress and then work hard to make sure the party goes there. There are many who are willing to engage with media, with industry and commerce, engage with intellectuals and the middle class whom we have ignored in the past.
Read:This letter aimed to create confusion, those who don't want Rahul Gandhi to lead Congress are behind it: PC Chacko
Q - There is a buzz that Rahul Gandhi may be back as Congress president soon. Does he fit the bill?
Well, Mr Gandhi has publicly stated that he does not want to become Congress chief. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has supported Rahul's view saying there should be a non-Gandhi Congress chief. Sonia Gandhi is only interim party president. Therefore, the message from the Gandhi family is that they are not interested in political power as the Congress president. The CWC must immediately appoint a new Congress president through a transparent election process held as per party constitution.
Q - You had raised some valid points to revive the Congress but got suspended for doing so. Is there still any hope?
I remain optimistic. The party has a fantastic history. It has talent, the wherewithal and ideology. Unfortunately, we have become inert and inactive and our performance has not been able to inspire the voters. That is the reason people have lost confidence in the Congress. It has to be a bottom-up approach and there should be no high command culture in the party. The BJP represents a different ideology and a model of governance. The only strong national party which can defeat the BJP is the Congress. So the Congress has to develop an alternative narrative to the BJP. And then inspire the people to be given a chance to come back and govern the country.
Q - Can a non-Gandhi provide effective leadership to the Congress?
To me it makes no difference. Every individual brings his /her own strength, style and strategy to the table. What the Congress needs is a new perspective and requires a robust roadmap. If you don't give someone a chance, how will you know they are not good enough.
Read:Cong 'dissenters' miffed content of as letter not discussed
