New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi heard the dissident group G-23 out on Tuesday to cool tempers inside the party.
A sulking group of leaders including Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari and Vivek Tankha reportedly told her not to rely on a select few to run the party affairs. They also asked her to set up a collective decision-making model, according to Indian Express.
Following drubbing in polls in five states, disillusionment engulfed leaders across all ranks, and some of them held a meeting discussing the efficacy of leadership.
After being wishy-washy initially, the Congress leadership met days after the poll outcome and chose Sonia Gandhi again as its leader. Choosing Sonia as temporary leader apart, the internal difference went on in the party.
Rahul Gandhi stepped alongside his mother to heal the wrought nerves in the party. He held talks with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Some of the G23 leaders are to be becalmed with key organizational responsibilities, according to Indian Express. Sonia Gandhi agreed for changes in the party. She was however against a massive overhaul for now, as the party is for a while yet to choose a new president.
Sonia Gandhi engaged them to talks to avoid the house falling apart. G 23 leaders on their part realized the fact that an open attack on Gandhis would do no good. The leaders reportedly highlighted several issues as regards the functioning and decision-making of the party.
At the meeting the G23's old demands including setting up of the Congress Working Committee, revival of the Parliamentary Board, and forming an elected Central Election Committee to decide candidates were discussed.
Sonia favourably responded to the suggestions, agreeing to the need for a change in the way the party functions, according to the report. The Congress President is likely to see more of the leaders of the G23 in the coming days.