Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday said that the G-23 was not distinct, but a part of the party which is working to strengthen the organisation and there was nothing wrong in asking for reforms.
Sharma was on a two-day tour to Shimla. Miffed by AICC Himachal affairs incharge Rajiv Shukla for not consulting him over party affairs in Himachal, he had resigned from the Congress’ steering committee.
“G-23 term was coined by the media, though the number of leaders who signed the letter to the party high command was more than that. We have been talking about reforms to strengthen the party, what’s wrong in it?” he said, adding that they have made their submission to the Congress president.
“Some of the issues we raised have been resolved and I am hopeful that many more would be addressed in days to come,” said Sharma.
He assured that the G-23 leaders will continue to work for the party. “We are an integral part of the Congress. Many of us are members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), political affairs committee and the task force in Jodhpur convention, including me and Ghulam Nabi Azad,” he added.
“It is our collective concern that the party, which dominated the Indian political space, has now vacated the space in many important states. We must regain it as it is the need of the time and the democracy,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“It is our collective concern that the party, which dominated the Indian political space, has now vacated the space in many important states. We must regain it as it is the need of the time and the democracy,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Sharma said the Congress needs strong primary and block committees, which should be accountable to the PCC and the latter to the AICC.
On the upcoming Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, he said that there is anti-incumbency against the BJP in the state and the Congress will unitedly fight the polls and form a government.
“The Congress is taking the elections in Himachal Pradesh seriously. If we follow the conventional way of the party for the selection process of the candidates, then it will surely be on a strong footing,” he added.
He said clean image, winnability and acceptance should be the criteria for the selection of candidates.