One of the contenders for the highly sought-after position of Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, said on Sunday that, should he win the election, he would not feel guilty about seeking the guidance and backing of the Gandhi family in managing the party’s affairs.
A day before the much-talked-about Congress presidential election, Mallikarjun Kharge, one of the contenders for the party’s presidential position, declared on Sunday that, should he win, he would feel no reluctance in seeking the guidance and backing of the Gandhi family in managing the party’s business.
“Just because we (Congress) lost a few elections, saying such a thing (against Gandhi) is not right. They have done good for this country, and their advice will benefit the party, so I will definitely seek their advice and support. There is no shame in it. If something benefits from your (media) advice, I will take it as well. They have worked for this party and taking their advice is my duty,” news agency quoted Kharge as saying.
Kharge addressed claims, in response to a question, that if elected the president of the AICC, he would act as the Gandhi family’s puppet.
As the Congress prepares to elect its first non-Gandhi president in more than 24 years, the veteran leader will face Shashi Tharoor for the position of AICC president on Monday.
“They say such things as if there is nothing else to tell. The BJP indulges in such a campaign and others follow it. Sonia Gandhi has been with the organisation for 20 years… They have struggled for the party and put their strength for its growth,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru.
According to Kharge, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi, the Nehru-Gandhi family has made significant contributions and sacrifices for India.
The member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka opted to avoid making any direct comments on Tharoor.
“I don’t want to get into any controversy, he (Tharoor) is saying his thoughts, I don’t want to debate on his thoughts. I’m sharing my thoughts. It is our organisation or a family matter. He has the right to say what he wants to, similarly I too have. It is an internal friendly fight,” Kharge said, to a question about his message for Tharoor.
As Kharge said in Karnataka, “the Congress will 100 per cent come back to power”. “Our leaders are working hard. They (BJP-RSS) are misusing autonomous bodies and government machinery here.”