New Delhi. After resigning from the post of Congress president, Rahul Gandhi has the illusion that he has been sidelined as the leaders said that those close to him are either relinquishing party positions or are marginalized targeting the old guard. Prior to the crucial assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, many leaders who were included in the mainstream of the party by Rahul have left the party.
At least two leaders – former Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and former Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam – publicly stated that those who were prepared by Rahul Gandhi are being sidelined in the party, not only In Maharashtra and Haryana, but also in many other states, Congress has been placed in factionalism and ‘Old vs. Young’.
In Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot is against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and in Madhya Pradesh with Jyotiraditya Scindia Kamal Nath and Digvijay Singh. Both Pilot and Scindia are considered close to Rahul but are unable to do anything against the old guard. In Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had allegiance to Rahul, was forced out of the Punjab government after differences with party veteran and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
While keeping silence on the developments, Rahul has surprised everyone, for his part, going abroad at a time when assembly elections are round in Maharashtra and Haryana. The 49-year-old man of the Gandhi family relinquished the party’s top post during the Lok Sabha elections in May and the Congress reins were handed over to his mother Sonia Gandhi.
Tanwar took a jibe at the party, saying that “those who were assigned important work in the party have been politically murdered”, apparently indicating that they have targeted Sonia Gandhi, who took charge. Nirupam also said that people close to Rahul are being ignored in the party, as he expressed displeasure at not having heard his voice in ticket distribution.