New Delhi: In 2014, the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi had given a go-ahead to exchange the then Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi with Himanta Biswa Sarma, however Rahul Gandhi stalled the transition, former Congress chief Ghulam Nabi Azad has mentioned in his autobiography, searching for to clarify precisely when the celebration’s downfall began within the northeast.
‘Azaad — An Autobiography‘ was launched Wednesday. The guide offers with Azad’s political journey and landmark moments.
In July 2014, Sarma had resigned from the Gogoi cupboard, rebelling in opposition to the latter’s management. He joined the BJP a 12 months later. His entry into the BJP laid the inspiration for the Congress’ decimation and the BJP’s domination within the northeast. Sarma went on to change into the chief minister of Assam in 2021.
Azad, who had been despatched as All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer to Assam following the political disaster attributable to Sarma’s resignation as a minister, mentioned that, after assessing the scenario, Sonia Gandhi had mentioned that it was “apparent that Sarma had a transparent majority and must be the brand new CM”. The plan was set and Azad was set to supervise the change in guard from Gogoi to Sarma.
Azad, who has earlier served as Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and Union minister, based the Democratic Progressive Azad Get together after quitting the Congress final 12 months.
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Sonia needed Himanta’s elevation as CM
Based on Azad, the late Tarun Gogoi, who turned chief minister of Assam in 2001, had “promised” that he would step down if the celebration regained energy for the second time.
Gogoi, he claimed, mentioned he would pave the way in which for “his right-hand man” Sarma. Nevertheless, the Congress received two extra phrases in 2006 and 2011, however Gogoi didn’t vacate his chair.
In 2014, when Sarma rebelled, he and his supporters have been summoned to Delhi by the celebration. He turned up with 45-plus MLAs out of the Congress’ 78 in the home. The full power of the Assam meeting is 120.
Nevertheless, when Gogoi was requested to return or ship his MLAs to Delhi, solely 7 legislators turned up, in response to Azad. “The remaining… MLAs” have been able to abide by the celebration excessive command’s choice, Azad mentioned.
The scenario was reported to Sonia Gandhi. “I reported the scenario to Sonia ji, who remarked that it was apparent that Himanta had a transparent majority and must be the brand new CM. She requested me to go to Assam the next day together with the overall secretary in-charge and oversee the formal election of Himanta as the brand new chief,” writes Azad.
Nevertheless, a day earlier than Azad was set to go to Assam, Rahul Gandhi advised him to satisfy him.
In that assembly, additionally attended by Tarun Gogoi and his son Gaurav Gogoi, Rahul introduced that there might be no change in management, Azad mentioned. When it was identified that Himanta had the bulk MLAs, Rahul mentioned, “Let him go”, in response to Azad.
“The assembly was over. I’m not certain if Rahul mentioned this to say himself or as a result of he was ignorant that his choice would have far-reaching penalties, not solely within the state of Assam however the complete northeast,” writes Azad.
He provides, “Himanta had been the celebration in-charge of the complete northeast infrequently and notably throughout elections in these states, the place he was highly regarded… the exit of 1 succesful individual sounded the demise knell for the celebration in the complete area.”
Following Rahul’s choice, Sonia determined to not intervene. As an alternative, she requested Azad to request Himanta to “not rock the boat”, he writes.
This, he says, is an instance of “the Congress celebration’s willpower to destroy itself”.
‘Lack of contemporary expertise’
In his guide, Azad assaults the Congress management over lack of contemporary expertise and stagnation within the celebration.
“I’ve to say that it (BJP) did a wise factor by copying the Congress’ outdated system. They alter the nationwide celebration presidents each two years, thus… New leaders get an opportunity to emerge, new areas are represented and folks from totally different castes and communities get a chance to display their management qualities.”
The BJP has had solely two celebration presidents since 2014, however Azad says the celebration has expanded its social base throughout the nation, and one of many causes for a similar is the “system that it follows within the change of celebration management after two years or a minimum of often”.
The Congress elected Mallikarjun Kharge as its president final 12 months, after years of being below the Gandhi household.
(Edited by Geethalakshmi Ramanathan)
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