Look forward to Kamat's continued contribution: Cong

Gurudas Kamat's contribution is "very valuable" and Congress is looking forward to his continued contribution, the party said today seeking to mollify the AICC General Secretary who announced his retirement from active politics two days ago.
"He is a very important, very valuable member of the Congress. He has a lot to contribute. We look forward to his continued contribution," party spokesman Ajoy Kumar told reporters.
Kumar replied in the negative to a question whether any leader has been assigned the task of looking after Gujarat and Rajasthan, states being looked after by Kamat.
He also recalled party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's statement yesterday that Kamat is an "integral part of the Congress family" and party leadership would discuss with him his future role and responsibility.

"Kamat is a very seasoned and experienced leader. He is integral part of the Congress family. I categorically and squarely reject reports that he has resigned from the party."
"He was, is and will always remain a part of the Congress family. I am certain Congress leadership will discuss with him his future role and responsibility in the party so that it can benefit from his experience," Surjewala had said.

The statement from the AICC has come a day after the 61- year-old Congress general secretary announced he was quitting active politics.
Kamat has already made it clear that he has the "highest respect and regard" for Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi and "my resignation is purely on personal grounds".

Kamat, who had been Mumbai PCC chief for a long time, was reportedly unhappy over the appointment of his known detractor Sanjay Nirupam as the head of the city unit of the party.
The move had come ahead of next year's Mumbai civic elections, where Congress is hoping to dislodge the incumbent Shiv Sena-BJP combine.
Under his charge, Congress had done well in the local bodies polls in Gujarat and Rajasthan.