Senior party leaders who participated in an interactive session with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Mukul Wasnik and secretary Deepak Babaria criticised party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s style of functioning. The interactive session with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) executive members and other invitees also witnessed strong reactions against ‘the high level’ of corruption among State Ministers.
The interactive sessions were organised as part of the AICC’s attempt to revamp the party and prepare a policy perspective. The session was the last of the series of such exercises that began last month in Kasaragod.
Most of the leaders were critical of Mr. Gandhi’s reluctance to lead the party in the Lok Sabha and expressed the opinion that he should come out of his shell and communicate with the people. They wanted Mr. Gandhi to revamp his inexperienced team and induct experienced leaders with grassroots connections. Several leaders protested against the functioning styles of Ministers who had allegedly developed caucuses around them and had slipped into corrupt lifestyles. They also wanted a code of conduct for Ministers.
The suggestions received at the meetings would be compiled, sources said.
KPCC meeting
In the meantime, the KPCC executive meeting will be held on Tuesday at Indira Bhavan mainly to consider steps to be taken to prepare the party for the local body elections. There were also suggestions to change the election mechanism in the Youth Congress and the Kerala Students Union.