Congress split on Digvijaya Singh's remarks, pushes for stronger organisation

New Delhi: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, citing the organisational strength of RSS-BJP to again nudge the Congress leadership for organisational reinforcement, has evoked mixed response from many CWC members and drawn focus on the need for a strong party organisation even as they vouched for Singh's opposition to the RSS and the ruling establishment.

TS Singh Deo told the media, "Digvijaya Singh clearly stated that he completely rejects the RSS ideology, and therefore, there's no justification for misinterpreting his statement...Can't you take examples from other organisations and make some changes? You're not adopting their ideology. If Australia and India are playing a cricket match, and we see how the other team is playing, and we feel the need to improve ourselves, shouldn't we do that? There is a need to learn not just from the RSS, but from anyone."

Salman Khurshid said, "Appreciation and accessing facts are two different things. Digvijaya Singh inspires a lot of people. The fundamental ideology of the RSS is contrary to the idea of India. Digvijaya Singh is completely with our leadership...We have our own kind of strength. They have their own kind of strength. That (Singh's comment) is a pragmatic assessment of what RSS has been able to achieve. We and Digvijaya Singh reject the RSS ideology".


Shashi Tharoor said, "Even I want our organisation to strengthen. There should be discipline in our organisation. Digvijaya Singh can speak for himself...We have a history of 140 years, and we can learn a lot from it".

Sachin Pilot said, "The Congress party is united and our intention is to strengthen the organisation. In our party, we have the right to speak about our thoughts. He (Singh) said whatever he had to, and after that, he also gave his clarification".

Manickam Tagore said, "The RSS is an organisation built on hatred. There is nothing to learn from hatred. If you want to learn, learn from good people. There is the Congress party, which is 140 years old".

Pawan Khera said, "What can an organisation known for Godse teach an organisation founded by Mahatma Gandhi?"

Rajani Patil said, "I don't think Digvijaya Singh said anything wrong. His comment has been twisted". The AICC made no official comments on the matter.