New Delhi, December 5
In an effort to forestall any criticism about her role in the recent Assembly polls, AICC General Secretary Ambika Soni offered her resignation two days ahead of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting slated for Sunday.
The CWC, which is expected to be a stormy affair, has been especially convened to analyse the results of the recently concluded elections.
Her resignation is pending with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Ms Soni offered her resignation when she met the party President on Thursday night to brief her about the party’s performance in these elections. Ms Soni, it is learnt, admitted to the party President that they should have dropped more sitting MLAs but maintained that they had depended on the feedback from the Chief Ministers. Congress poll managers also acknowledged that unlike the BJP, which had a galaxy of leaders for their campaigning, the Congress was dependent on Ms Gandhi and the Chief Ministers.
Congress sources maintained that Ms Gandhi is unlikely to accept her resignation, adding that Ms Soni had offered to step down owning moral responsibility for the results in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Confirming reports of Ms Soni’s resignation offer, Congress spokesperson S.Jaipal Reddy stated that the party president had yet to take a decision on the matter, adding that despite her wishes, Ms Ambika Soni continues to be the AICC General Secretary. He also ruled out any reshuffle in the party organisation.
Mr Reddy said the CWC meeting, being attended by all Chief Ministers of states which went to polls, will not only analyse the election results but also strategise for the future.
As regards Mr Digvijay Singh’s declaration to take political “sanyas”, Mr Reddy indicated that he might not be allowed to have his way, stating that whatever his views, Mr Singh will have to abide by the party’s directive. At the same time, it was also suggested that he might not be readily accommodated in the party hierarchy in Delhi.
“A former Chief Minister of any party continues to be an outstanding leader in his own state...he doesn’t require a formal position to play a role or make a contribution,” Mr Reddy added for good measure.
He continued to keep up a brave front about the party’s humiliating performance but refused to attribute it to Ms Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. “Soniaji ka jaddu chalega Lok Sabha election mein,” declared an optimistic Congress leader, stating that just as the anti-incumbency factor operated against the Congress governments this time, it would work against the Vajpayee government next time round.
