Congress is united, leaders can express views openly, says Jairam Ramesh

The Congress on Monday (September 5) asserted that it is a united and democratic party and it allows its leaders to express their views openly.

The Congress assertion came amidst a slew of BJP barbs and criticism from former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad that the party should undertake “Congress jodo” before its “Bharat Jodo” march.

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Asked about the BJP swipes, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the party is strong and united.

“Those who are disgruntled in the Congress, they keep giving statements. But I think the party is united today. Yesterday, the rally was very successful and every worker is committed, there is excitement, energy and our sole aim is to undertake the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” Ramesh told reporters.

“The Congress is a big family and there are people with different views. We are a democratic party, people air their views openly, some write letters, some tweet, some give an interview, and this shows democracy. There is no dictatorship in our party, we do not silence anyone,” Ramesh said.

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He said efforts are being made to assuage concerns of leaders “but some people leave despite that, hurling abuses”. “I do not want to say anything about them, I have already spoken about them,” he said in an apparent reference to Azad.

“But to say that Congress jodo should be our priority, that is wrong, for us the priority is to unite the country,” he asserted. Ramesh said the Yatra’s objective is to ensure that the concerns and demands expressed by the people reach Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)