THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving a clarion call to the workers, senior Congress leader and working committee member A K Antony said those who are Congressmen in daylight and turning RSS during nights are not needed for the party in the state.
“Already,most of them have joined the RSS and work openly,” he said. “In earlier days, Congressmen could knock at the doors of any house even during midnight and discuss matters. Such an organic attachment is not there now,” he said.
He made a fervent plea to the leaders in the state to unite or perish, pointing out that despite a slew of agitations organised by the Congress and the UDF against the flawed policies of the State and Central
Governments with huge public participation, the youth are pitching tent in other organisations, especially the BJP and allied outfits.
Interestingly, his remarks came at the extended KPCC executive meet,with only half of the 400 plus members turning up. “Leaders are now seated here together but much needs to attain a more cordial relationship,” he observed. “If leaders remained antagonistic, only the Congress will suffer.
If the party is not there,noneof us will exist. All leaders should understand that the soil under their feet is getting eroded. Earlier,it was only UDF and LDF. Now the situation has changed in the state,” he reminded once again. “I don’t have a community or any other forum to offer me support. I’ve only my party,” he said. “Leaders of student and youth organisations are living by issuing statements. Youths who are not slaves but able to question their own leaders should be brought in,” he said.
‘Fight against faulty policies’
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the party should take up a fight against the faulty policies of the Centre and the LDF Government in the state much more aggressively and thereby earn the support of the people. He said the BJP government has even jacked up the fuel prices over and above the increase in international prices, but public opinion is yet to be mobilised.
Among the other speakers, former Governor M M Jacob was candid to assert that the Congress High Command is not giving a strong feel to the people. “There was some relief till the time of Sonia Gandhi.” he said,in an oblique criticism to scion Rahul Gandhi.
“One should speak after assessing the mood of the people in a state,” he said, explaining how the people of Punjab may look upon Rahul for highlighting that 70 per cent of the youth there are drug addicts,in his election campaign the other day. Looking at Antony, he said he doesn’t mind conveying his views to the party high command.