Angry Rahul Gandhi talks tough at Delhi Congress

NEW DELHI: With a bitter feud between Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and state Congress chief J P Agarwal threatening to mar party’s chances in the forthcoming elections in Delhi, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi has said he would not tolerate indiscipline and take firm action against rebels.

Rahul chose the day-long meeting on Thursday at Delhi Congress headquarters with MPs, MLAs and grassroot office-bearers to talk tough. Flanked by Agarwal on one side and Dikshit on the other, Rahul said, “My mother (Sonia) is very lenient. But I am not like that.”

Pointing to former PM Indira Gandhi’s portrait on the meeting hall’s wall, Rahul said, “I am more like her. I won’t tolerate any in-fighting.” He said that the party has to portray a united front especially when the Congress is eyeing a fourth term in the state. He said he would not tolerate any leader voicing opinion openly in public or on media channels against Delhi government’s policies or senior leadership or the state Congress.

Many saw this as an indirect message to both Dikshit and Agarwal who had a verbal duel before Rahul in two successive closed-door meetings. While Agarwal had accused Dikshit of not giving due importance to party organization, the CM had criticized the state unit chief of running down her government’s achievements.

He tried to involve the leaders in the dialogue. He asked the block-level office bearers if they were ever involved in decisions on ticket distribution. When the grassroot leaders were not forthcoming in their reply, Rahul said, “These are the people who will know best which leader can win where. There has to be better coordination between party and grassroot workers.” Senior leaders were surprised with Rahul’s straight talk.