The Congress on Friday reacted to the letter bomb dropped by former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announcing his exit from the party and said it is most unfortunate and regrettable that a letter like that was dropped at a time when the entire Congress is united to fight the BJP in its Bharat Jodo Yatra. In his five-page letter, Ghulam Nabi Azad tore into the leadership and criticised Rahul Gandhi alleging that Rahul Gandhi runs the party by his coterie. Ghulam Nabi Azad put the blame for ‘Congress’s destruction' squarely on Rahul Gandhi whom he termed a ‘non-serious’ leader. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi's security guards, PAs take decisions: Ghulam Nabi Azad's 10 quotes
Follow live reactions to Ghulam Nabi Azad's resignation from the Congress
Congress leader Ajay Maken said the party came to know about Ghulam Nabi Azad's resignation from the media as the five-page letter was released to the media. Remembering his contribution to the party and also to the country, Ajay Maken said it is unfortunate that a veteran leader like Ghulam Nabi Azad doesn't want to be a part of the nationwide campaign that the party will take up next month.
Read full text of Ghulam Nabi Azad's letter
"It's unfortunate and regrettable that this happened when Sonia Gandhi ji, Rahul Gandhi ji and the entire Congress organisation across the country are engaged in confronting, combatting and fighting the BJP on issues of price rise, unemployment and polarisation," Jairam Ramesh said.
Ghulam Nabi Azad recalls joining Congress when 'it was a taboo’ in J&K
{{/usCountry}}Ghulam Nabi Azad recalls joining Congress when 'it was a taboo’ in J&K
{{/usCountry}}In the last couple of weeks, Jairam Ramesh said, the party has been preparing for mehangai par halla bol rally at the Ramlila Maidan on September 4, which will be addressed by Rahul Gandhiji. "22 press conferences have been scheduled across the country on 29th of the month. The Bharat Jodo Yatra will be launched on September 7 from Kanyakumari. Finalisation of that launch is also underway and 32 press conferences have been scheduled across the country to project the message," he said.
"At a time when every Congressman and woman are involved in ensuring that the campaign becomes a success and every Congress person wants to walk alongwith Shri Rahul Gandhiji along this 35,000-km Bharat Jodo Yatra, it's most unfortunate and regrettable that at this point of time we have had to read the letter that has been released today," Jairam Ramesh said.