Taking serious note of bickering and factionalism within Delhi Congress, party national vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sent out a clear and terse message - stay united or face the consequences.
Rahul was interacting with MPs, MlAs, councillors, block and district presidents, observers and party delegates at Pradesh Headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan.
Emphasising that he would not brook no indiscipline, Gandhi said the Congress president was very soft, but he himself was a tough nut. Rahul said his role model was his grandmother Indira Gandhi and his approach was altogether different.
"There may be certain pitfalls in the Government or organisation but there is no denying the fact that Delhi Government has performed admirably. Hence, all should join ranks and support the Government," Rahul said. He warned those who were indulging in anti-party activities or Government bashing that he was keeping a close eye on each and every leader of the city.
Clad in his usual white kurta and jeans, Rahul arrived at Delhi Congress headquarters with Delhi affairs in-charge Chaudhary Bijender Singh in tow. During a five-hour interaction with separate groups of Congress workers at Delhi Congress headquarters, Gandhi underlined the need for better coordination between the party and the Government. He asked MlAs, MPs and senior leaders to start preparations for November elections.
Sources in the Congress said party workers and leaders were happy to get an audience with Rahul, who is not only receptive but also tries to address their concerns. Party leaders openly registered their discontent during interaction with MPs and MlAs, alleging stepmotherly treatment and factionalism among senior leaders was the main reasons for demoralisation of workers at grass roots.
Some leaders reportedly urged the high command not to re-induct those expelled from the party for anti-party activities, before six years. Some also raised the issue of inflation.
later, talking to mediapersons, Delhi Congress' Jai Prakash Aggarwal, who is not known to have a cordial relationship with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, said, "We had differences. It is a family and there it is nothing unusual to have differences. But today, differences were resolved. We will work together." He added that Gandhi's visit would enthuse workers, who have already started preparations for Delhi Assembly elections.
Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said, "The vision with which Rahul Gandhi is interacting with us clearly shows his intention is to strengthen the Congress in a way that party can work for the people in the coming 40 years."