Sonia and Rahul chide central ministers for ignoring partymen

Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi today pulled up central ministers for "not paying heed" to Congress workers from states where the party was not in power and "demoralising" them.

Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Sunday pulled up central ministers for "not paying heed" to Congress workers from states where the party was not in power and "demoralising" them.

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"Many party workers in non-Congress states have complained to me that our ministers at the Centre do not fully appreciate their concerns. They make a valid point," the 64-year-old Congress President said addressing the party plenary being attended by several union ministers and chief ministers among others.

"Such neglect is demoralising for our workers who function in a hostile environment," she said.

In a similar vein, Rahul said wherever he went, he received complaints that ministers and chief ministers did not give time to party workers.

Wondering as to how the party could connect with the common man if the leaders failed to connect even with partymen, he asked the ministers and chief ministers to spare some time for ordinary workers.

The remarks of the Congress president as also Rahul were lustily cheered by the delegates who clapped repeatedly.

To rejuvenate the party, it was the primary responsibility of those in office to be sensitive to the voices coming from the party organisation and ranks, she said.

"Party workers must be seriously heard and listened to. We must not forget that it is the ordinary worker who is our ear on the ground, our hand on the pulse of the common man," Gandhi said.