Family Party Dilemma: Dilip Ghosh Responds to PM Modi on Congress
Kolkata, October 23: West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh has weighed in on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement about Rahul Gandhi, who serves as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister had asked how long the Congress intends to keep launching a product that has already failed.
Ghosh responded that the Congress should consider how long it will keep bearing the weight of Rahul Gandhi. He said the party is essentially a family organisation, and its leadership has always come from within that family.
In his view, Rahul Gandhi will have to be supported until Priyanka Gandhi is fully ready. Ghosh also took up Modi's repeated remarks about Rahul Gandhi being launched and losing, stating that as a family party, the Congress has no other choice.
Ghosh agreed with the Prime Minister's assessment that the Congress is harming honest protests. He said it is clear to everyone that the party contributes nothing of substance. Whenever another party or organisation carries out an agitation and does the groundwork, he said, the Congress steps in at election time to claim the political gains. The minister said this has been its role in agitations as well.
He asked who in India knows the name Neha Bora. Ghosh said social media frequently makes leaders out of such individuals, but the buzz lasts only a few days before it dies down. He alleged that communist parties and other groups lacking a face or leadership of their own pull such people from somewhere and bring them forward. He insisted the Indian public is not so easily misled, pointing out that the country's history spans thousands of years and has seen many movements come and go.
Ghosh said that anyone with a grievance can approach the courts or bring a motion in Parliament. He noted that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has stated that a motion concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be discussed if it is tabled. He claimed the opposition offers neither argument nor evidence and only seeks to create chaos through uproar. He added that some people bring in money from outside, make a commotion for a few days, and then fall silent, adding that the public does not stand with them.
On a march in Delhi demanding the restoration of democracy, Ghosh said that democracy is alive in the country, as evidenced by the fact that such marches are taking place. He suggested that anyone wishing to speak about restoring democracy should go to countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, and stressed that Indians know democracy well.
Ghosh also turned his attention to Rahul Gandhi's overseas trips, saying the Congress leader has a habit of going on holiday. According to him, Gandhi goes abroad and then disappears for a month at a time. He said Gandhi is not present in Parliament and does not take part in election campaigns. Ghosh concluded that the country has never accepted a 'part-time' leader of this kind.