G-23 of Congress takes defensive stance at CWC

New Delhi: In the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Sunday, the G-23, also known as the dissenters' group, took a defensive posture as their members only brought up 'technical points' and did not demand a change in leadership as they demanded in 2020.

Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad repeatedly reiterated "that they are in the party and are not rebels, but they want the party to do well in elections" at the meeting, sources reveal.

The recent Assembly poll debacle was caused by late decisions by the party, according to Azad.

While the over five-hour long meeting about the aftermath of the recent Assembly election was going on, Congress' interim chief Sonia Gandhi offered to "step aside" from her role.

Nonetheless, the CWC rejected it and reposed trust in the interim chief, authorizing her to make "necessary and comprehensive" changes to the organization.

In the wake of the CWC meeting, some of the G-23 leaders admitted that it's the end of the line for the "till Rahul Gandhi takes over as President". However, many believe that they will remain in the party, and not as tenants.

It is anticipated that the brainstorming session next month will lead to the party's renewal and reinvention.

The upcoming elections in Gujarat and HP, coupled with the reduction of the party's power in the Rajya Sabha after the Punjab election results, make it interesting to see whether the party's dissenters find a place in the new team.

According to the CWC resolution, "The recent Assembly election results in five states are a cause of serious concern for the Congress. The party accepts that due to shortcomings in our strategy, we could not effectively expose the misrule of BJP governments in four states and overcome the anti-incumbency in Punjab in the short time after effecting a change in leadership."

"The Congress will be fully prepared to face the electoral challenges in the upcoming elections in 2022 and 2023 as well as in the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

"The CWC unanimously reaffirms its faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and requests the Congress President to lead from the front, address the organisational weaknesses, and effect necessary and comprehensive organizational changes in order to take on the political challenges," it added.