Rahul upset with infighting, leaders urged to keep views internally: Report

Upset over “mudslinging” within the party as young and old brigades in the Congress lashed out at one another over the past week, former chief Rahul Gandhi has conveyed his uneasiness, even though Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh have remained silent while the party appeared “adrift”.

Sources said Rahul Gandhi is upset over media reports about the struggle within the party so both the brigades have been asked to confine their views to party platforms only.

The party has told leaders categorically that questioning the UPA’s 10 year regime from 2004 to 2014 is “unacceptable”. The decade-long UPA rule was steered under the leadership of Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The in-fighting reached such proportion that sources say Randeep Singh Surjewala had to be summoned from Rajasthan to brief the media. He also warned both the factions to refrain from making comments on social media and said no “Twitter” play will be appreciated by the party.

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Congress communication department chief Surjewala responding to a question on Sunday warned: “I will advise friends who are playing twitter-twitter should stop making comments on social media. We have internal democracy and we are not forcing anybody to retire. So keep your views in appropriate party forums.”

Comparing with BJP, he said that there is no “margdarshak mandal” and the party should fight the BJP together.

“In this time of crisis senior leaders who have worked in the government and organisation should stand shoulder to shoulder with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.

“The responsibility of the senior leaders is to guide the youngsters and promote them and also make way for them,” said Surjewala.

The Congress’ young and veteran brigades are at loggerheads on social media ever since a July 30 meeting, when sources said that Rajiv Satav a newly elected member of the Rajya Sabha and considered close to Rahul Gandhi had asked for introspection of the 10 years of UPA rule.

He was countered by the veterans. Post this incident former Union Ministers Manish Tewari, Anand Sharma, Milind Deora and Shashi Tharoor rallied behind the Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and slammed those who questioned the UPA’s regime, attacking the younger lot of the party.