Unfazed by 'complete nonsense' remark, Rahul meets industry

Congress Vice President discusses a range of issues including the current downturn

A day after throwing the Congress into a total confusion with his ‘complete nonsense’ remarks, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had a closed-door meeting with select industry captains at his residence on Saturday. The meeting had been scheduled in advance and, even as his party tried to recover from his previous day’s bombshell, Gandhi’s office saw no reason to reschedule it.

Among those invited were RP Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka, Ambuja Neotia Group Chairman Harsh Neotia, Axis Bank CEO Shikha Sharma and Nitin Paranjpe, global president of Hindustan Unilever’s home care division. The meeting was facilitated by former nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, Ashok Ganguly.

The interaction, which dwelt on the state of the economy, was initiated by the Congress party. Sources say, the party was aware about industry’s concerns over a weak economy, as well as UPA’s several initiatives, including the Land Bill. Gandhi, being the face of the party, wanted to have a one-to-one meeting with business leaders to discuss all issues.

Speaking to Business Standard, Neotia said: “The discussion was on the overall economy and the Congress’ plans.” Goenka, who confirmed he was present at the meeting, however, remained tight-lipped. “It was about the economy but I cannot share the details,” he said.

Another participant, who did not wish to be named, said the political confusion that followed Gandhi’s remarks the previous day found no reflection in Saturday’s meeting. “In fact, everyone stepped out after the meeting with enthusiasm,” he said.

This was Gandhi’s second high-profile interaction with industry captains — his public meeting at CII in April this year being the first one.

It is learnt he had been telling those close to him for two days that he was not happy with the government’s decision on going for an ordinance that would protect convicted MPs. His outburst on Friday could have been part of this assertion.

On September 25, when the issue of the Supreme Court ruling on convicted politicians had come up at his closed-door interaction with editors in Pune, Gandhi had said: “I’m in support of anything that benefits the democratic process.”

Besides, discernible audio in television microphones had picked up the telling comments exchanged between Gandhi and Ajay maken when he landed on the dais. “What were you discussing about the ordinance,” asked Gandhi. A cryptic Maken replied: “I was giving the Chidambaram line.”

The opposition on Saturday seized on the dysfunction in the Congress and demanded the PM’s resignation. “Rahul chose to speak against the ordinance after “condemnation from all quarters” against the move and President Pranab Mukherjee questioning its objective, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu alleged in Bangalore. Chandrababu Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party chief, tweeted: “The prime minister (is being) insulted repeatedly to elevate Rahul Gandhi. ‘Nonsense’ is his (Rahul’s) new moniker for the government. PM should resign if he disagrees with this.”

The Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties also hit out at the Congress and said the PM should either explain or resign.