Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said “the time for introspection is over” for Congress. (File)
New Delhi:
After Bihar’s election revealed Congress to be the weakest link in an opposition that waged a bitter struggle, a top leader made public his criticism of the party leadership and called for “experienced minds , experienced hands and those who understand political realities ”. to revive the organization. Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal, in his unfiltered criticism of the leadership, also said that “the time for introspection is over”.
“… we have to do several things on many levels – organizationally, articulation in the media in whatever form, setting up people that people want to listen to, providing active and thoughtful leadership who can articulate very carefully, “Kapil Sibal told the Indian Express newspaper. The men of Congress, he said, “must recognize that we are in decline.”
Referring to the appalling performance of Congress in Bihar as well as in bypasses across the country, including in states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh where the party is still a powerful force, Mr Sibal said: “There where we were an alternative, the people of this state did not. have put their trust in Congress back in the way we expected. The time for soul-searching is gone. We know the answers. Congress must be brave and ready to recognize them. “
Mr Sibal was one of the 23 congressional leaders behind the “letter of dissent” which sparked an all-out clash within the party in August, but which resulted in very little real change in addition the demotion of the principal authors of letters.
“Since there has been no dialogue and there seems to be no effort for dialogue on the part of the leaders and since there is no forum to express my opinions, I am forced to express them publicly. I am a member of Congress and will remain a member of Congress and I hope and pray that Congress provides the alternative to a power structure that has overturned all the values that the nation stands for, “said Mr Sibal in the interview.
Giving his prescription for a complete overhaul, the chief congressman said, “First we have to have a conversation; with experienced minds, experienced hands, with people who understand the political realities of India, with people who know what and how to articulate. in the media, people who know how to get people to listen to them … We need alliances, we need to reach people. We can no longer expect people to come to us. We are not the kind of force that we have used We have to reach out to others by those who are experienced in this area. But in order to do that we have to have a conversation. “
On whether the rulers accepted the defeat of Bihar as “business as usual”, Mr Sibal said: “I did not hear the rulers say anything to me. So I don’t know. I hear only the voices surrounding the leaders … We have yet to hear from the Congress party what they think about our recent performance in Bihar and the by-elections. Perhaps they think all is well and the business should proceed as usual. “
In Bihar’s election results last week, the opposition won 110 seats, a dozen fewer than the assembly majority of 243 members. Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerged as the largest party, but Congress, which contested 70 seats but won just 19, reportedly lowered the opposition tally. Even the smaller left-wing parties have done their part.
Senior RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari called Congress a burden on the Mahagathbandhan opposition. “They had presented 70 candidates but had not even organized 70 public rallies. Rahul Gandhi came for three days, Priyanka (Gandhi Vadra) did not come, those who did not know Bihar came here. is not fair, “Mr. Tiwari told the ANI news agency. He added scathingly: “The elections were in full swing here and Rahul Gandhi was having a picnic at Priyanka ji’s house in Shimla. Is the party organized like that?”
