Delhi Assembly polls: Congress on back foot after ‘rumour’ about poll panel

NEW DELHI: On a day when it should have put its best foot forward in preparation for the Delhi elections, Congress found itself on the back foot, denying a ' rumour' about Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi clearing an eight-member committee to lead its Delhi unit into the polls. As the story continued to run on news channels, Congress issued an official statement clarifying that no such committee exists. However, the 'leaked' list had already caused a lot of heartburn by then.

It was reported that former MPs Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, Ajay Maken, Mahabal Mishra, J P Agarwal, who was also the former Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief, current DPCC chief Arvinder Singh, Congress Legislature Party leader Haroon Yusuf and Sultanpur Majra MLA Jai Kishan are on the list.

The official denial could not quell speculation about the motive behind the report. And the mention of Tytler and Sajjan Kumar gave BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) a chance to attack Congress over the two politicians' alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The two were not given tickets in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections with an eye on Sikh votes.

All India Congress Committee and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee remained busy through the day issuing denials. DPCC's chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said the party had neither formed such a committee not talked about forming it at any level. Sharma said, "The party strongly condemns the misinformation being spread by mischievous elements as part of a devious plan".

Congress MLA Jai Kishen, who was quoted by news channels, denied saying that a committee had been constituted. "All I said on being asked was that a meeting, to which Rahul Gandhi had called many leaders, was held to discuss assembly polls and seek suggestions. I never said that a committee should be set up." Tytler and Sajjan Kumar were also called to the meeting.

Even after Congress issued a denial, SAD (Badal)-led Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee warned it not to give prominence to Tytler and Kumar in the Delhi elections.