Chandigarh, April 8: They (G23) are reformists and not rebels. Every leader is entitled to express his opinion to strengthen the Congress. The second tenure of the BJP in Haryana is more disastrous. All the issues facing the Congress in Haryana will be resolved by the party high command well ahead of the assembly elections in 2024. These were the views of two-time Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, 75.
In an exclusive interview at his official residence here on Friday, Hooda candidly told IANS that there is no individual grievance or self-interest of any of the senior leaders of the Congress suggesting structural changes in the party.
Responding to an IANS query that it is high time for the party leadership to redress the grievances of the rebel leaders (G23), he said, “They are reformists not rebels.”
“Every leader is entitled to express his opinion to strengthen the Congress party in a democratic way,” Hooda was categorically clear in saying.
Without mincing words, he said the so called G23, largely a media coinage, is giving suggestions to the party leadership as they want to make the party stronger.
“It’s in the interest of democracy and the country,” he added.
Describing the second tenure of the BJP government in Haryana as more disastrous than its first term, he said, “Now, they are not capable even to manage their junior partner (Jannayak Janta Party — JJP) in the government.”
The Leader of Opposition said every section of society, including employees, is on the roads and the government is not concerned about them.
He refuted rumours that the party is still divided into two camps — one led by him and the other by former Union minister and state party President Kumari Selja,
Congress veteran Hooda was categorically clear in saying that there is no infighting in the party.
“Yes, revamping and revitalising of the organisation is needed for which the process of organisational elections is on.”
On his recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi about any plan to adopt collective leadership well ahead of the assembly polls, Hooda replied: “I am sure that all issues facing the party will be resolved well before the assembly polls.”
Party leaders told IANS that Hooda has categorically told the Gandhis that he would not lead the party in the assembly elections slated at the end of 2024 unless he is given a free hand in ticket distribution.
Responding to a question: How do you see the AAP-led Punjab government’s resolution on Chandigarh, Hooda replied candidly: “The resolution of the Punjab assembly signifies nothing. This is a ritualistic tactic of every government in Punjab to divert the attention of their people from the real challenges before them.”
In the November 2019 assembly polls, the BJP won 40 seats and was six short of a majority in the 90-member Haryana Assembly.
Besides the JJP, seven independent MLAs have also extended support to the BJP, helping it reach a tally of 57 seats. The Congress won 31 seats, improving its tally from 19 in 2014. (IANS)
