New Delhi: As the internal rift within Congress simmers after senior leader Kapil Sibal's remarks on party's performance in Bihar Assembly Polls, Congress General Secretary Tariq Anwar also raised objection over the statement, saying that there was no need to bring internal matters before media.
The infighting within Congress erupted when Sibal expressed dissent against the party leadership and called for a sweeping range of reforms after the defeat in Bihar polls. However, former Union Minister and Congress senior leader P Chidambaram also backed Sibal's views, suggesting that the party needs to strengthen itself on the ground level and that it had "contested in more than its organizational strength" in Bihar polls.
While speaking to ETV Bharat over the matter, Tariq Anwar said, "Both of them are senior leaders of our party. We just want to say that they should not get uneasy. If they feel anything is in favour of the party then they should directly speak to the party leadership and give suggestions on how things should be improved within the party. But speaking about such matters in media should be avoided."
Sibal's remarks on Congress leadership left the party sharply divided among anti-Gandhis and its loyalists. The rift led to another level when Gandhi loyalists started hitting out Kapil Sibal openly.
Recently, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary made a scathing attack on Sibal saying that if some Congress leaders feel this is not the right party then "they should set up a new party or can join any other party".
Also read: Candidates in fray for DDC polls being stopped from campaigning: Omar
"I want to say this to all of our senior leaders that if they want to say something, they should directly speak to the party leadership or the concerned people. That would be better for our party," said Tariq Anwar while reacting on Adhir Ranjan's comments on the matter.
Before this, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had also slammed Kapil Sibal for publicly criticizing Congress leadership, stating that it has hurt the sentiments of party workers across the country.
Congress party emerged as the weakest link of opposition during Bihar Assembly elections. Congress contested 70 seats, the most in Mahagathbandhan after RJD (144), but managed to win just 19 from that. While the left parties had shown a better strike rate than India's grand old party.
After facing an attack from BJP, Congress party declared itself out of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). While on the other side, the state leadership of Congress in Jammu and Kashmir said that they have seat-sharing arrangements with other parties, including NC and PDP, for the elections of District Development Council (DDC).
Speaking over the matter, Tariq Anwar said, "We are in a democracy, so, we will have to contest elections. Now when Central Government is organizing elections in Jammu and Kashmir then all the political parties will surely participate in their own ways. Elections are like a democratic event from which we can't separate ourselves."
On Tuesday, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the alliance parties of Gupkar Declaration as an "unholy global gathbandhan" against the country's national interest. He also questioned Congress President Sonia Gandhi to clear her party's stand if they are in support of the Gupkar Declaration.
"BJP should apologize to the country because they are the one who promoted PDP, formed a Government with NC. Now these parties have suddenly become traitors while BJP becomes nationalist," said Tariq Anwar while hitting out at Shah for his statement.
Meanwhile, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti took a jibe at Congress saying that the country lacks a robust opposition and through it's "false propaganda", BJP has put Congress on defensive about its participation in PAGD.
When asked about her claim, the Congress leader replies, "Mehbooba Mufti should not say such things. PDP was the one which gets into alliance and gave a chance to BJP to expand in Jammu and Kashmir."
Also read: DDC elections: 'BJP trying to stop PAGD candidates from contesting'
