JOIN USStepping up the heat on Janardan Dwivedi for “praising” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Friday said the senior leader still faced the prospect of disciplinary action as the party leadership was yet to take a decision on the issue.
Dwivedi, the senior-most AICC general secretary, was publicly censured by the Congress on Thursday for his remarks that sent shockwaves through the party. He had described Modi’s Lok Sabha victory as the “triumph of Indian-ness”.
Dwivedi had met senior Congress leader A K Antony, chairman of the party's Disciplinary Action Committee, to explain his remarks.
Congress spokesperson P C Chacko had said on Thursday night that the party had considered the matter a “closed chapter” after Dwivedi had explained his remarks to the leadership.
“Chacko may not be fully aware. The issue is with the top leadership. What I say is
the last word in the Congress,” said Maken, chairman of the AICC's Communication Department.
‘Indian-ness’
Maken had countered Dwivedi by reading out the definition of “Indian-ness”, as interpreted by the Congress.
“What Dwivedi has said is totally opposite to the Congress’ idea of 'Indian-ness'. Modi’s victory can never be the victory of 'Indian-ness',” he had said.
Later, a visibly hurt Dwivedi denied having said that Modi’s was a symbol of “Indian-ness”. “There is no need for anyone to teach me what is 'Bhartiyata' or 'Indian-ness',” he said.