Jairam faces Congress ire over remark saying party facing ‘existential crisis’

Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala rejected Ramesh’s view and said party leaders can “take permission before speaking publicly”.

A rattled Congress asked its senior leader Jairam Ramesh to take permission before speaking, after the Rajya Sabha member said the party was facing an existential crisis.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in an interview that Congress is facing an existential crisis. (HT Photo)

Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala rejected Ramesh’s view and said party leaders can discuss all matters within the party and “take permission before speaking publicly”. “Whatever Jairam Ramesh has said, that can be his personal views. The Congress does not agree with this,” he said.

But Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said Ramesh’s remarks shouldn’t be ignored as he is “a true Congressman”. Ramesh had said “the sultanate has gone, but we behave as if we are sultans still,” while pitching for a change in Congress’ style of functioning.