Congress cautious on Kapil Sibal's exit; Buzz of more in departure lounge

The Congress leadership on Wednesday took care to avoid any bitter attack on Kapil Sibal and tried to underplay his resignation. Reacting to the exit, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal told media persons: "He (Sibal) had already written a letter to the party president (Sonia Gandhi). The letter says he firmly believed in the values of the Congress... he said nothing else. Let him state his position... then I can say. People come and go from our party. This is a big party. Some may be leaving... going to other parties. I am not going to blame anybody who left the party. Congress has a vast space".

It is learnt that Sibal's May 16 letter of resignation from the primary membership of the Congress, addressed to Sonia Gandhi, was a straight and courteous one, with him making it a point to affirm his commitment to democratic and secular principles. Meanwhile, party circles are abuzz with speculation that more leaders may be waiting in the departure lounge.