Rahul pitches for ‘ideological clarity’ among partymen

NEW DELHI: While Rahul Gandhi was economical in his response to the demands of the

CWC

leaders that he take over the party reins again, he was explicit in saying that he had certain thoughts about how things should be and that he would be comfortable if all walked together. He also sought “ideological clarity” among party functionaries.


Pointing to Punjab CM Charanjit Channi, Rahul said when he called to convey to Channi that he would replace Amarinder Singh, the latter broke down in disbelief. Channi apparently told Rahul that he could not believe a Dalit from a humble background was being appointed as the CM.

With that anecdote, Rahul said caste consciousness still exists and was hard to accept. Narrating other incidents he had witnessed, Rahul said he does not believe in “untouchability” and that every helpless and persecuted person, including women who face discrimination and are not being heard, are oppressed. A CWC member said Rahul added that during the Akhlaq lynching episode, he wanted to visit the village as he was repulsed by the crime, but that some people had other views. The Gandhi scion said any helpless person denied hearing should be supported regardless of identity.

As Rahul listed out his agenda in the wake of demands that he take over the leadership, the hot button issue of organisational elections, which has polarised the party and even created a dissident bloc G23, passed off rather peacefully.

While party veteran AK Antony led the chorus for Rahul to take over the reins of the party, Ashok Gehlot said both Sonia and Priyanka had urged him to request Rahul to take over since he listens to his counsel. Channi said the decision to appoint him as president was for the CWC to take and that he should not resist, a request that met with concurrence from Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Priyanka.

Participants in the CWC said senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik gave suggestions about the party’s functioning. AICC managers Randeep

Surjewala

, Jitendra Singh and Ajay Make lashed out at G23 for holding dinners and giving press statements.