Internal fighting among Congress leaders, cited as one of the main reasons for the party’s abysmal show in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections held in May, came to the fore again on Sunday when the party held its extended executive meeting here.
Several senior leaders of the party were understood to have complained against each other to AICC leaders Digvijaya Singh, Salman Khurshid and R.C. Kuntia. Heated exchanges between a few of them even spilled over outside the closed-door meeting. Former MP K. Rajagopal Reddy openly accused Rajya Sabha member P. Goverdhan Reddy of causing his defeat in the Parliament election.
Party sources said Mr. Rajagopal Reddy alleged that Mr. Goverdhan Reddy had fielded his daughter as a rebel candidate in an Assembly segment resulting in his defeat. He even opposed giving membership books to Mr. Goverdhan Reddy.
Angry over commentsSeething in anger, the RS member, who was outside when allegations were being made against him, rushed inside and tried to speak but other leaders pacified him stating that there was no use in complaining now.
However, the RS member questioned the former MP as to how he could complain against him and pointed out that it was not the sign of a leader who wanted to grow in stature. Another RS member, V. Hanumantha Rao, made strong remarks against several senior leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha, who had aspired to become Chief Minister, had enjoyed power but was even staying away from party meetings now.
Mr. Rajanarasimha arrived at the meeting later. R. Anand Bhaskar, also an RS member, left the meeting in a huff complaining that he had not even received an invitation.
Mr. Digvijaya Singh told reporters later that they had discussed the membership drive scheduled from November 28 to December 28 and strengthening the party at all levels including in the city. All important leaders would participate in the membership campaign.
