Karti Chidambaram's comments raises a stir within the Congress

He said yesterday that the Congress party in Tamil Nadu 'cannot wait for Delhi to show the path in every single way'

Former Finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti publicly questioning the Congress' "high-command observer culture" has sent ripples through the Grand Old Party. While a small section is calling for disciplinary action against him, others feel that he has only voiced the view of a majority of party men. In the wake of a split in the Tamil Nadu unit and senior leader G K Vasan walking out of the party, Karti had commented, "The Tamil Nadu unit must have a fair amount of autonomy in functioning. We must re-think this high-command observer culture."

On one hand the anti-Chidambaram faction within the party is demanding action against Karti for violating party disciple. Senior party leader Digvijaya Singh was on record saying that those who don't believe in the party can leave it.

Congress spokesperson Salman Khurshid today however refused to comment on whether any such action was being contemplated by the party. Khurshid only said that "such issues should be raised within the party." Nonetheless he added that various views on the party and organisation were to be encouraged for frank discussion.

The continuous decline in the party's fortunes has at the same time, led a large section within the party to question the working of the "high command". A senior party leader speaking to Business Standard said, "What Karti had said is not wrong. On several occasions party general secretaries are competent to take decisions related to the workings of the state vunit he is incharge of. Waiting for a Central Observer to be sent by the high command delays quick action required on the ground. Nobody can deny that."

Karti Chidambaram had also said, "There are some serious issues that we must look into. Tamil Nadu political market is very crowded. Congress has to be more proactive. We cannot wait for Delhi to show the path in every single way."

Infact, based on the feedback of party workers both Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi have started giving greater access to partymen to meet them.