New Delhi: Even as there seems to be no end to the woes in the Congress party with Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Gujarat brawling in the power struggle, former veteran Congress leader Natwar Singh painted the Congress poll prospects with a black brush saying he doesn't think the Congress can defeat BJP in upcoming polls.
When asked if Congress can defeat the BJP, Singh told ANI said, "I don't think so. Had they taken a stand now...but...their judgement is bad. They don't have an advisor but think they're 'tees maar khan' (one who considers being the smartest and cunning person).
A Congress loyalist, Singh held key portfolios under three Prime Ministers — Rajiv Gandhi, Narashima Rao and Manmohan Singh, and was once very close to the Gandhi family.
The former Union minister criticised the Congress's top brass after Amarinder Singh stepped down from his post of Punjab Chief Minister. The veteran held the Gandhis responsible for the current mess in the grand old party.
Congress, Singh said, has no advisor to guide. Recalling another veteran leader AK Anthony who's now ailing, he said, "Anthony could have told, but he's not keeping well." Of Manmohan Singh, the former Union minister said, the "former prime minister never says anything to the party high command (Sonia Gandhi)."
The Congress party paid no heed to Amarinder Singh's warnings about Navjot Singh Sidhu, yet it was the latter who was appointed as Punjab Congress chief by the Gandhis, Singh added. In fact, Captain Amarinder Singh was humiliated thrice by the Gandhis leading to his resignation.
