"Time To Close Ranks," G-23 Member Manish Tewari Declares He Won't Contest

  • Sept. 30, 2022, 11:44 a.m.

New Delhi: Manish Tewari, senior Congress leader and part of the 'G-23' group of dissenters, today bowed out of the contest for the presidency of the Grand Old Party following speculation that he would be the second candidate from the camp after Shashi Tharoor to throw their hat in the ring. Speaking to NDTV, he said he doesn't want to become the 'fall guy'.

He also tweeted his decision to opt out. Given recent "unfortunate events", it's time to close ranks and strengthen the party, he said on Twitter, suggesting there would be no more additions from the G-23 to the already chaotic contest.

Leadership, ideological clarity, narrative, and transparent access to resources are pillars of the 'A' political party.

"Given recent unfortunate events, it's time to close ranks & strengthen @INCIndia, recalling wise words of @CitiznMukherjee & working for a consensus and effective presidency," he said, while sharing a quote from former President of India Pranab Mukherjee on why the top party post must be offered and not sought.

For a brief while, the Congress President's election, the nomination for which ends at 3 pm today, looked certain to be a direct contest between the "official" candidate Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, who was the first to express a desire to run for the election. Senior party leader Digvijaya Singh had reportedly decided not to file his nomination after meeting with Mr. Kharge, who is said to have the blessings of the Gandhis. In a surprising about-turn soon after, though, he conveyed to the party that he would in fact submit his nomination.

The Congress veteran KC Venugopal, a key aide of the Gandhis, last night conveyed to Mr. Kharge the high command's decision for him to join the race despite the Gandhis' saying that they would remain neutral, sources said.

According to sources, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a key member of the "G-23" dissenters who sent an explosive letter to Mrs. Gandhi in 2020 over organisational changes in the party, has also endorsed Mr. Kharge's candidacy.

Mr. Kharge will resign as the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha in accordance with the 'one person, one post' rule decided by the party earlier this year, said sources.

The October 17 election took a chaotic turn after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's loyalists staged an open rebellion against the possibility of Sachin Pilot replacing him if Mr. Gehlot, backed by the Gandhis, was made President.

Post a comment Mr. Gehlot met Sonia Gandhi yesterday with an apology letter and opted out of the contest for the top party post. He told reporters he wouldn't contest the election, taking "moral responsibility" for the public rebellion by his loyalists.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

Related News