Janardhan’s remark divides Congress down the middle
31 Aug 2014 5:14 AM IST
Party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters while addressing a press conference in AICC headquarters on Friday, ‘Let me make it clear from this podium that this is his view and he is certainly entitled to it. I would also clarify after having sought appropriate clarification in this regard that this is not the party’s view. This is his personal opinion.’
Asked whether the party considers Dwivedi’s remarks as ‘breach of discipline’, Singhvi said, ‘This is your opinion. I am not saying anything of this sort.’ To repeated queries as to what is the party stand on the matter, he said, ‘The status quo prior to the statement remains. Party’s stand is the status that remained prior to this view.’
Party general secretary Digvijaya Singh, on another occasion on Friday, backed Dwivedi saying that ‘change is the law of nature’. Singh, who has generally been at odds with Dwivedi, recalled that in the Burari AICC session 2010, he had pitched for a generational change in the party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. ‘I had said the same thing in Burari session. Congress party always gives opportunity to the youth. Change is the law of nature. In the modern management lexicon, it is called succession management. It should happen at every level from top to bottom.
I am in favour of it and it is high time for major changes in the organisational structure,’ Singh said.
The contrasting views being raised in the party indicate the ‘organisational revamp’ it is headed towards. ‘The generational shift debate had been triggered after Janardan Dwivedi made that remark. The tussle between the party’s old guards and the youth is out in the open now,’ said a source.
Asked whether the party considers Dwivedi’s remarks as ‘breach of discipline’, Singhvi said, ‘This is your opinion. I am not saying anything of this sort.’ To repeated queries as to what is the party stand on the matter, he said, ‘The status quo prior to the statement remains. Party’s stand is the status that remained prior to this view.’
Party general secretary Digvijaya Singh, on another occasion on Friday, backed Dwivedi saying that ‘change is the law of nature’. Singh, who has generally been at odds with Dwivedi, recalled that in the Burari AICC session 2010, he had pitched for a generational change in the party under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. ‘I had said the same thing in Burari session. Congress party always gives opportunity to the youth. Change is the law of nature. In the modern management lexicon, it is called succession management. It should happen at every level from top to bottom.
I am in favour of it and it is high time for major changes in the organisational structure,’ Singh said.
The contrasting views being raised in the party indicate the ‘organisational revamp’ it is headed towards. ‘The generational shift debate had been triggered after Janardan Dwivedi made that remark. The tussle between the party’s old guards and the youth is out in the open now,’ said a source.
Next Story
