Internal feud in Congress over Bihar election defeat intensifies, Ashok Gehlot slams Kapil Sibal

Kapil Sibal's comments criticising the leadership after the Bihar election defeat has "hurt the sentiments" of party workers across India, said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.

The internal feud in the Congress over Bihar election defeat intensified on Monday with senior Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot slamming veteran party leader Kapil Sibal. Gehlot said that Sibal's comments criticising the leadership after the poll defeat has "hurt the sentiments" of party workers across the country.

With a few leaders echoing the views expressed by Sibal, Gehlot said in a series of tweets, "There was no need for Mr Kapil Sibal to mentioned (sic) our internal issue in Media, this has hurt the sentiments of party workers across the country."

"Congress has seen various crises including (in) 1969, 1977, 1989 and later in the 1996, but every-time we came out stronger due to our ideology, programs, policies and firm belief in party leadership. We have improved with each and every crisis and also formed UPA government in 2004 under the able leadership of Soniaji, we shall overcome this time too," the chief minister said.

There was no need for Mr Kapil Sibal to mentioned our internal issue in Media, this has hurt the sentiments of party workers across the country.
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— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 16, 2020

Countering Sibal, Gehlot said, "There are various reasons for electoral loses. But each time rank and file of the Congress Party has shown undivided and firm belief in the party leadership and that is why we came out of it stronger and united after every crises. Even today, Congress is the only party which can keep this Nation united and take it forward on the path of comprehensive development."

Sibal is one among the few senior Congress leaders who has repeatedly raised questions over the party's performance in the elections after 2014 Lok Sabha poll. After the defeat of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar where the Congress proved to be the albatross around Mahagathbandhan's neck, Sibal has once again said that the party needs to introspect over its performances.

Congress has seen various crises including 1969, 1977, 1989 and later in the 1996 - but every-time we came out stronger due to our ideology, programs, policies and firm belief in party leadership.
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— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 16, 2020

In an interview with The Indian Express, Sibal once again slammed the Congress leadership, saying the party has still maintained silence over dismal show in Bihar Assembly election. It is to be noted that the seat tally of the Congress went down further as compared to 2015 Assembly election.

“We are yet to hear from the Congress party their views on our recent performance in Bihar and in the by-elections. Maybe they think all is well and that it should be business as usual,” Sibal said. “If for six years the Congress has not introspected what hope do we have for introspection now? We know what is wrong with Congress. Organisationally, we know what is wrong. I think we have all the answers. The Congress party itself knows all the answers. But they are not willing to recognise those answers,” he added.

We have improved with each and every crisis and also formed UPA government in 2004 under the able leadership of Soniaji, we shall overcome this time too.
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— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 16, 2020

The Congress won 19 out of the 70 seats it contested in Bihar as part of the RJD-led grand alliance. The opposition alliance ended up with 110 seats, while the NDA retained power bagging 125 seats in the 243-member assembly. Sibal was part of a group of 23 senior Congress leaders who had in August written to party chief Sonia Gandhi making suggestions on ways revive the organisation.

Notably, Sibal was one of the 23 senior Congress leaders who wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi, seeking major changes in the functioning of the party. Sibal also said that the party has failed to project itself as an “effective alternative” and not just Bihar, people across the country are not voting for the Congress as they do not consider the party as an alternative to the BJP.

There are various reasons for Electoral loses, . But each time rank and file of the Congress Party has shown undivided and firm belief in the party leadership and that is why we came out of it stronger and united after every crises.
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— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 16, 2020

“The people of the country, not just in Bihar but wherever by-elections were held, obviously don’t consider the Congress to be an effective alternative. So, the writing is on the wall. Since there has been no dialogue and there seems to be no effort for dialogue by the leadership and since there is no forum to express my views, I am constrained to express them publicly,” remarked Sibal.

Backing Sibal, Congress Rajya Sabha member Vivek Tankha on Monday said it is time to act now, else it will be too late. He also said that for democracy to survive, the Congress has to survive. Tankha was also a part of the 23 leaders who had sought overhaul in the party. "Kapil ji is an iconic lawyer and hardcore congress personality. Together and individually we have fought countless battles and continue to fight ag BJP shenanigans. For our democracy to survive Congress has to survive. Time to act is now or tomorrow may be too late," Tankha tweeted while tagging Sibal's interview.

Even today, Congress is the only party which can keep this Nation united and take it forward on the path of comprehensive development.
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— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) November 16, 2020

After the party's poor show in Bihar polls, Karti Chidambaram also pitched for introspection and asked for an internal discussion on the losses. Karti, son of former union minister P Chidambaram, in a tweet said: "It's time we introspect, ideate, consult & act INC." The Lok Sabha MP from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu made the cryptic comment while tagging a tweet by Sibal on his interview.

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam demanded that party leaders who were responsible for taking decisions in Bihar polls should be held accountable for the dismal show, but defended Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi only went to campaign for the party but was not responsible for the decisions taken in Bihar, Nirupam added.