Janardan Dwivedi's case still open: AICC General Secretary Ajay Maken

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi, who had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is still not out of the woods as his issue is still pending with the top leadership.

"The issue is before the top leadership of the party and you will be informed of whatever the decision is," AICC General Secretary Ajay Maken told reporters here when asked about the fate of the 69-year-old leader.

Maken's attention was drawn to the comments by another party spokesman and senior leader P C Chacko who declared last night that it was a closed chapter after Dwivedi clarified to the leadership.

"Chacko may not be fully aware....The issue is with the top leadership. What I say is the last word in the Congress," said Maken, who is the Chief spokesman as also the Chairman of the AICC's Communication department.

Dwivedi, who insisted that he never praised Modi, met A K Antony, chief of the party's disciplinary committee last evening to clarify his position.

Maken was asked whether the controversy over the reported statement of Dwivedi was indicative of a tussle between the 'old guard' and 'generation next' in the party. He was also asked whether any show cause notice has been given to Dwivedi.

Without responding to these pointed questions, he merely said, "This matter is with the Congress leadership and as and when a decision is taken, we will let you know."

Dwivedi, who is considered close to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, had faced public rebuke from his party yesterday for reportedly praising Modi.

"What Dwivedi has said is totally opposite to the Congress' idea of Indian-ness....The victory of Modi can by no stretch be the victory of Indian-ness," Maken, considered close to Rahul Gandhi, had said at a hurriedly-called press conference.

Later, a visibly-hurt Dwivedi remarked, "I have never said Modi is a symbol of Indian-ness..... There is no need for anyone to teach me what is .. Indian-ness."