Aditi tandon
Tribune news service
New Delhi, November 22
Congressional turmoil over its rapidly drying up electoral base continued Sunday with veteran letter writer Ghulam Nabi Azad saying the party had been hit by a “five-star culture” and was disconnected from the grassroots.
Calling for urgent elections at the level of block, district and state Congressional committees, Azad, who was among 23 leaders who called on Congress President Sonia Gandhi in writing for organizational reform in August, said today that leaders who seek change are “reformists and not rebels.”
“We are not rebels or dissidents. We are reformists who speak for the betterment of the party. We are not against the leadership of Congress. Rather we are strengthening the hands of leadership by proposing far-reaching reforms, ”Azad said, days after another letter writer and former minister Kapil Sibal publicly said that the time for introspection in Congress was over and now was the time. Act.
Reacting to the party’s loss in the Bihar elections, Azad blamed the five-star culture, which, he said, was damaging the party’s prospects.
“Congress leaders at various levels should give up this five-star culture less during elections. State officials should roam the field and not be in a rush to return to their five-star hotel on the nights they are running elections. Instead, they should go among the people with the local leaders rather than leaving the ground open for opponents, “Azad said.
He said it made no sense to stay in the best hotels in the state capitals and return to Delhi after a few days.
“This is just a waste of money. There is a huge disconnect between people and leaders at the district, block and state levels. So why blame only national leaders all the time? Azad asked.
He said that the leaders of Congress must go through elected committees and that way they will feel closer to the people.
The former minister also said that the president of Congress had already accepted the demand to hold elections for the position of head of the party and the CWC.
“Do not repeat this demand because already been accepted,” said senior congressman.
