THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The letter signed by me and 23 other Congress leaders does not stand against the leadership of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi said former Rajya Sabha deputy chairman and Congress leader P J Kurien. The letter only intended to strengthen the existing party machinery. Sonia Gandhi’s health is deteriorating and Rahul Gandhi is not taking up the party leadership. This void has created uncertainty in the party. Our letter only intends to find a possible solution to this problem. “AICC after discussing the letter has decided to elect the party president at the plenary session. That means the letter has produced some good results and I am satisfied over that,” he said.

No attack against me

I am not facing any attack in Social media or in the party, as faced by Shashi Tharoor. It is because I have informed my stand before the political affairs committee. Congress is a democratic party, therefore anybody can raise an opinion against me. There is no need to panic over different opinions being raised in the party. Kodikunnil and Gulam Nabi Azad were able to freely express their opinion because they are in Congress party. We are going to implement the decision taken by the Congress Working Committee. Other things are just opinions. Kodikunnil has just raised his opinion. Opinions and decisions are two different things.

Weak condition of the party should be improved

The previous day, Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that if organisational polls are not conducted the party will sit in the opposition for the next 50 years. I am not qualified to speak on that, but the party will elect an interim president in the next 6 months. An interim president will be selected through nomination, but for permanent president elections are a must. The weak condition of the party could be only improved if the CWC take strong decisions after thorough discussions. I am just an AICC member, therefore I cannot comment further on that.

Sonia proved her mantle

Sonia has proved that she was a great leader. Nobody will deny that fact. Among the available leaders, Rahul Gandhi is the best. Therefore, it is not wrong to appoint someone from the Gandhi family as party chief.

No need to attack Tharoor
Tharoor has voiced his personal views on the Thiruvananthapuram airport issue, but party has a different opinion. Shashi Tharoor’s stand is testimony to the internal freedom allowed in Congress but the party’s decision will be implemented. KPCC has taken a stand on the airport issue, therefore, Tharoor’s opinion have no basis. But it is not a ground to attack him.

Party’s decision
In the coming assembly polls, UDF will come to power. Party and UDF will take a decision on who will be the chief minister. If the party demands, I will contest in the assembly election