The G-23, dissidents within the Congress, on Thursday came out in support of senior leader and MP Kapil Sibal. A group of Congress workers had on Wednesday marched to Sibal’s house objecting to his alleged remarks against the party high command.
Sibal’s aides Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Shashi Tharoor and Mani Tiwari openly criticized the attitude of Congress workers. He said that dissent should be respected and urged the leadership to take action against the protesters.
Sibal’s support
Sibal is among senior leaders of the ‘Group of 23’ who have been calling for strengthening the organizational structure and leadership of the Congress, especially after the party’s recent internal crisis in Punjab.
“He (Sibal) is a loyal Congressman fighting for the party both inside and outside Parliament. Any suggestion from any side should be welcomed instead of suppressed, hooliganism is unacceptable,” tweeted Azad. Sharma said intolerance and violence is different from the values and culture of the Congress. “Shocked and disappointed to hear about the attack and hooliganism at Kapil Sibal’s house. This reprehensible action defames the party and it needs to be strongly condemned,” Sharma said and urged Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take strong action. Tiwari said those who masterminded the attack should keep in mind that Sibal fights for Congress both inside and outside the court. “You may find his views uncomfortable but it cannot be a license for violence,” Tiwari said. Tharoor said: “Our priority is to strengthen ourselves to take on the BJP!”
Meanwhile, the Congress urged the leaders not to raise organizational issues in public. “Crores of Congress workers are in pain due to such acts. Senior party leaders should not discuss such matters in public but at an appropriate forum. There is a difference between BJP and Congress. While there is no restriction on freedom of expression in our party, our leaders need to put forth their opinion at an appropriate forum,” said party spokesperson Pawan Khera.
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