Tharoor, Nirupam spar over Sandeep Dikshit's 'leadership crisis' remarks

A verbal duel broke out between Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday (February 20), when the former urged the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to hold elections to appoint a new chief – a touchy topic which has of late left the party leadership divided.

Seconding senior Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, who accused Congress bigwigs of being afraid to choose a leader from among themselves despite a leadership crisis, Tharoor, the party’s MP from Thiruvananthapuram through a tweet urged the CWC to hold elections to elect a new leader.

“What Sandeep Dikshit said openly is what dozens of party leaders from across the country are saying privately, including many with responsible positions in the party. I renew my appeal to CWC to hold leadership elections to energise workers and inspire voters,” Tharoor tweeted.

What ⁦@SandeepDikshit⁩ said openly is what dozens of party leaders from across the country are saying privately, incl many w/ responsible positions in the Party. I renew my appeal toCWC to hold leadership elections to energise workers&inspire voters. https://t.co/cotzJsRZnm

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 20, 2020

Some have asked who should vote & for what. I was referring to my earlier call eight months ago for elections among the 10,000 party workers who constitute the “AICC plus PCC delegates” list. These should be for the elected seats in the CWC as well as for the Party Presidency.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 20, 2020

However, Sanjay Nirupam, party member, countered Tharoor saying, Rahul Gandhi was the only leader who could lead the party.

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In a tweet, Nirupam said, “It’s inane discussion. No one from outside the family can lead Congress at this juncture. Rahul Gandhi is the only leader who can lead the party and can save it. Other leaders are just a group leader and such leaders at the helm will encourage more groupism. Period!”

Its inane discussion. No one from outside the family can lead @INCIndia at this juncture. @RahulGandhi is the only leader who can lead the party and can save it. Other leaders are just a group leader & such leaders at the helm will encourage more groupism. Period ! pic.twitter.com/fOaXW1B3rc

— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) February 20, 2020

After Congress performed poorly at the recently concluded Delhi elections, the party has been witnessing massive infighting between leaders.

Earlier, former Union minister Manish Tewari had stated that the party should reorganise itself and think about its economic philosophy.