Q/ When did you decide that you cannot continue in the Congress?
A/ It had been building up. When Rahul Gandhi became an MP in 2004, Mrs [Sonia] Gandhi’s consultations with senior leaders reduced drastically. She began consulting Rahul more. Over time, senior Congress leaders were sidelined and felt isolated because Rahul never had any interest in meeting anybody. There was a blanket rule on not entertaining people above 60. Mrs Indira Gandhi worked with three generations. Credibility and experience are more important than age. Of my age, I am the first person to leave. All the others who have quit are young leaders belonging to the so-called Team Rahul.
Q/ So your angst is basically about Rahul’s style of functioning.
A/ I do not have anything against him as a person. But politics is not his cup of tea.
This story is from the September 11, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.
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This story is from the September 11, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.
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