The core group of Congress's G-23 dissidents met again at the home of senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad this evening -- their second gathering in 24 hours. Among those attending were Kapil Sibal, Anand Sharma and Bhupinder Hooda. The meet is expected to be a feedback session -- with Mr Hooda meeting Rahul Gandhi earlier today. A few leaders have also indicated that the meeting will discuss concrete steps to move ahead and such meetings will be held regularly from now to keep up the pressure on the top leadership.
Upset with the stance of the loyalists at the Working Committee, which insists on reaffirming the leadership of the Gandhis despite serial losses, the dissidents have been having a series of meetings since Friday. This time, the CWC, the party's highest decision-making body -- had turned down Sonia Gandhi's offer to step down from all posts with her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Yesterday 18 leaders -- a mix of dissidents and some newcomers from across six states -- met to discuss the way forward after the party's latest drubbing in state elections. The Congress has lost Punjab and had been practically wiped out in Uttar Pradesh and the other states.
But the response of the leaders had been toned down, with a statement saying they were in favour of a "collective, inclusive leadership" and demanded that the Congress be proactive and create a platform with other like-minded parties to take on the BJP in 2024.
There was no word on organizational elections or a non-Gandhi leader at the top, the demand for which is slowly gaining volume.
Sources said the leaders had decided against splitting from the party at present. The reasoning was that given its weak state, it might altogether crumble.
Mr Azad -- one of the 23 leaders who wrote the explosive letter to Sonia Gandhi two years ago, demanding organisational elections and a complete overhaul of its leadership -- was expected to meet her today and deliver their message.
"Sonia Gandhi is open for talks to every Congressman," senior party leader and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said. "When it is needed that we should fight together, some politicians are making statements against the party. If they have the right intentions, why don't they talk to Sonia Gandhi?" he questioned.
Earlier today, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda – who was present at yesterday's gathering -- met Rahul Gandhi after an outreach from the former Congress president.
Mr Hooda was one of the few mass leaders present at yesterday's gathering, which also included Manishankar Aiyar, Raj Babbar, and Shashi Tharoor.
Since the first G-23 letter, the Gandhi family loyalists have been questioning the motives of the dissidents, alleging that they were unhappy about the lean prospects within the Congress. With the party losing ground steadily with every election, Rajya Sabha seats are no longer easy to come by, they have indicated.
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