Opposition is voluntary, but support is managed: Sibal in cryptic tweet

In a cryptic tweet, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Wednesday (August 26) said when fighting for one’s principles, opposition is often voluntary and support is often managed.

“When fighting for principles in life, in politics, in law, amongst social activists, on social media platforms, opposition is often voluntary, support is often managed,” he tweeted.

When fighting for principles

In life
In politics
In law
Amongst social activists
On social media platforms

Opposition is often voluntary

Support is often managed

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 26, 2020

Sibal was one of the 23 leaders who in a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi had requested for an organisational overhaul. The letter wedged a divide between the party with many criticising its contents and the writers. While Sonia offered to resign, it was decided in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday (August 24) that she would continue to be the interim chief till an AICC session could be convened. She was authorised to effect necessary organisational changes to deal with the challenges facing the party.

While Rahul during the CWC meeting had questioned why the letter was sent when his mother was unwell, it was reported that he also accused the 23 leaders of colluding with the BJP.

Sibal had taken exception to the charge in an angry tweet. He later deleted it stating that Rahul has clarified to him that he made no such comments.

The 23 senior Congress leaders in their letter had asked for a “full time, active and visible” leadership, devolution of powers to state units and revamping the CWC in line with the party constitution.

Several leaders in the run up to the CWC meet and during it had rallied behind Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, while lashing out at the letter writers.

Making no direct reference to the events, Sibal had posted a cryptic tweet on Tuesday as well saying: “It’s not about a post. It’s about my country which matters most.”

A day after being dissed at the CWC meet, several members of the group of 23 said on Tuesday they were “not dissenters” but “proponents of revival”. Many of them also backed Sonia Gandhi remaining at the helm.

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After the seven-hour meeting of the party’s top decision-making body, the CWC urged Sonia Gandhi to continue as its interim chief till an AICC session could be convened. It made it clear no one would be permitted to undermine or weaken the party and its leadership.

The CWC also resolved that inner-party issues cannot be deliberated through the media or in public fora and all such issues must be raised within the party “in the interest of propriety and discipline”.

(With inputs from agencies)