Congress hits out at BJP for dismantling GoMs

The Congress Monday criticised the BJP government's move to do away with all GoMs and EgoMs and cautioned it against "centralisation" of power.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters that the move to dismantle the Groups of Ministers (GoMs) and Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoMs) created a "doubt about collective responsibility" being given a short shrift when it came to decision making at the central level.

"It seems all rights (to take decisions) are being given to the PMO," said Surjewala.

"This points towards centralisation and increasing monopolisation (of governance)."

Surjewala said the EGoMs and GoMs were favoured by the earlier Congress-led government and the previous NDA government at the centre because "ticklish issues of governance (required) the collective wisdom collective wisdom of one or more political persons".

Surjewala asked if the BJP government's move was "symptomatic of autocratic regime in future".

In response to a question by IANS about increasing criticism of party vice president Rahul Gandhi by Congress leaders, Surjewala said: "There was absolutely no question of disenchantment, rebellion or criticism against the Congress leadership."

"One or two disgruntled people who worked for the BJP against us during the polls, and had a similar agenda prior to the polls have made some remarks. The state units will take appropriate action against them," he said.