Cong asks members to not make 'open comments' on leadership issue

A day after former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit's comments on Rahul Gandhi, Congress today asked senior leaders to refrain from making open comments on the leadership issue to avoid unnecessary controversy.

"Senior leaders should refrain from making open comments. They should not create unnecessary controversy as interested sections want to create confusion," party spokesman PC Chacko told reporters in reply to a volley of questions on the issue.

He further said that any suggestion about there being differences between Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul, the party Vice President, was "completely wrong". Chacko added that the entire party was in "full support" of both leaders, whose leadership is "totally acceptable" to all.

Chacko's remarks came in the wake of Dikshit saying there was "scepticism" over Rahul's leadership qualities even as she pitched for Sonia to continue at Congress's helm.

Dikshit's comments came at a time when Congress appears divided on whether to anoint Rahul as the party president, replacing his mother Sonia. Senior party leaders Amarinder Singh and Dikshit's son Sandeep, too, have aired reservations over Rahul's elevation.

Asked about the former Delhi chief minister's remarks, Chacko said that she had already given a clarification in that regard.

AICC had two days back issued a virtual gag order on partymen on the leadership issue, telling them to express their views and opinion only at party fora.