Rahul Gandhi made aware of Mumbai Congress' chasms

Group of 150 odd leaders, party workers made a strong pitch for the immediate appointment of President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee

In his first visit to Mumbai since he became the Congress vice-president, Rahul Gandhi on Friday was made aware of the wide chasms beleaguering the party. The leader faced a flood of complaints from grassroot workers and leaders from the party’s city unit against the lack of a cohesive approach in the functioning of the organisation, complete disconnect between party office bearers and the rank and file, neglect of loyalists and appeasement of those who had joined the Congress from other political parties.

A group of 150-odd leaders and party workers, during their maiden interaction with Gandhi at the Congress’ state headquarters, also made a strong pitch for appointing a chief for the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee immediately. The post has been lying vacant for over a year, since Kripa Shankar Singh stepped down. Rahul Gandhi was in the city to get the views of Congress workers and leaders on his plan to rejuvenate the party organisation and election to various posts. Rahul Gandhi spent nearly eight hours holding a series of meetings.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, state party President Manikrao Thakre and party’s Maharashtra-in-charge Mohan Prakash.

Vasant Nanavare, senior vice-president of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee and who for 38 years has been a working for the party since the time Indira Gandhi was in charge, said, “It is ironical that we, despite being party loyalists, have to learn lessons of loyalty from those who fought against Indiraji. This needs to be stopped for the healthy growth of the party. Attempts are being made from within the Congress to tarnish the image of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.”

Nanavare appealed for an early appointment of the Mumbai city Congress president.

Party leader and film actress Kunika Lal raised the issue of appointment of those coming from other parties in crucial posts while neglecting Congress loyalists.

Earlier, at a separate meeting with representatives of six Mumbai district committees, Congress members insisted on proper coordination between the party office bearers and the rank and file, and called for coordination between the party organisation and the Congress-led state government.

Rahul Gandhi urged Congress members to strive for strengthening the party organisation by holding regular meetings and interactions. He said leaders from other parties were welcome to join the Congress, but they will have to wait in queue for appointment to various party posts.

On the issue of appointment of the city unit chief, Rahul said he would take up the matter with Congress President Sonia Gandhi with a plea to fill the post at the earliest.