Congress rumblings: Janardan Dwivedi says organisation should have ability to listen

NEW DELHI: An organisation should have the ability to listen as well, senior Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi said today at a time when a party leader has gone to the extent of saying that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi needed to take a break in the wake of the Lok Sabha poll debacle.

"I do not talk about individuals. But in any organisation, there should be an ability to listen to and not just make others listen," Dwivedi told reporters outside Parliament.

He was asked about former Congress Working Committee member Jagmeet Singh Brar's remarks that it won't be a bad idea if Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi take a break for two years from the leadership role. The party has already asked an explanation from Brar on the issue.

Congress spokesperson Randip Surjewala declined to comment on the remarks of Dwivedi.

"I have not heard Janardan Dwivedi's statement. We would refer back to him and then get back to you," Surjewala said.

Dwivedi has for some time been making statements that have fuelled debates inside and outside the party circles on issues like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's interest in politics.

While Dwivedi declined to respond to reports about Priyanka's formal induction in the Congress party leadership either as general secretary in-charge or Uttar Pradesh Congress President, Surjewala said that her role is confined to two Parliamentary seats.

Holding that such questions have been answered many times, Surjewala said, "Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has decided her role in politics, which is confined to two Parliamentary seats. Except this, everything is speculation, which we reject."

To a question about Congress looking towards Priyanka for revival, he said that it was not the first time that Congress has come in Opposition or its ideolgy is "under attack".

"We will continue to fight it off and win the hearts of the people in a more vigorous manner," he said.