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The Rediff Interview/ Kapil Sibal

'Unless matters are rectified, I am afraid things will go out of control'

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's well-wishers are stopping short of mouthing what could well prove to be a reality in the party -- apocalypse now.

This isn't idle formulation of some ambitious soothsayer out to grab cheap publicity. The tangible signs are floating in the party headquarters which has been overwhelmed by trenchant criticism from within by those who matter in one capacity or another.

While criticism is nothing new in the Congress (its leaders are fond of dismissing it as party democracy being voiced), what has rattled the Sonia loyalists is its increasing frequency. And it is emanating not from regional satraps, but central leaders given important posts by Sonia herself.

Leaders like Meira Kumar, Matang Singh (now no more in the Congress), Rajesh Khanna, Sitaram Kesri and the chairman of its central election authority Ram Niwas Mirdha have all voiced their dissatisfaction at the way the party is functioning.

But the recent outbursts of the former central spokesman Kapil Sibal have left many Congress members wondering whether the 114-year-old party is manageable under their present chief.

Like his party colleagues who have spoken out, Sibal was categorical that the coterie surrounding Sonia was responsible for the downslide in the Congress's fortunes, which it does not seem capable of preventing as of now.

Speaking to Tara Shankar Sahay and a few journalists, Sibal gave vent to his feelings about what is happening within the Congress and what ought to be done.

You recently underscored that a new debate has to begin in your party to arrest its downward slide. Then how can the party chief escape censure on this count?

You cannot blame one individual for the state of affairs, ours is a big organisation. What I said was that all party members have to share the blame and the leadership has to take cognisance of what the people's aspirations are. The decisions being followed by the leadership in this context are at variance and that is why I feel that a debate ought to begin to focus and concentrate on the objectives.

Last year, when you were the party spokesman, why didn't you underline your feelings?

You will remember that I have always emphasised that the party will make giant strides once the people's aspirations are fulfilled. I was hopeful that the leadership would take the right measures. But it does not seem to have happened. Veteran Congress members witnessing this are naturally agitated.

Much is being made out of the so-called coterie surrounding Sonia. What do you think?

I feel introspection is called for by our party because of the latest reverses. Take the Rajya Sabha nominations, for instance. Many of our members feel that party MPs in the Upper House should be there because of their oratorical skills and knowledge instead of members who have neither and are there because of lord knows why. The Congress has had great leaders in every sense of the term and it can still send respectable leaders to Parliament, providing the right selection or nomination is made. Such issues are vital because it can make or break the party.

Where do you think the weakness lies when you talk about reverses in the Congress?

The leadership is the fountainhead so this is where the buck stops. The leadership has to provide the inspiration for rejuvenating and reinvigorating the party. The party president has advisors and it is their job to tender the right advice.

And you think that has not been forthcoming?

A loyal Congressman like me is moved to calling for a free and frank discussion. Obviously, something is wrong somewhere.

Arjun Singh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh have hinted that instead of criticising the party leadership, outspoken members should themselves do some soul-searching. Please comment.

I think some are more loyal than the king. But frankly, this is too contemptible to deserve any comment. I have raised pertinent issues agitating the minds of many Congress members and I have not done so for the fun of it.

West Bengal Congress chief A B A Ghani Khan Chowdhury has also come out against the leadership, particularly your party chief, regarding the way the nominations for the Rajya Sabha from the state were made.

( Interrupting) I told you, even veteran Congressmen do not approve of what is happening in the party, and unless matters are rectified, I am afraid things will go out of control.

Have you brought this to the notice of your party high command?

I have made my views clear. It is up to it to take notice or otherwise.

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