The lawyer-politician's ties with the Congress high command were at an all-time low
The exit of veteran leader Kapil Sibal has added another name to the list of big Congress exits this year. The exodus will keep the party worried as it desperately tries to put its house in order and take on the BJP.
Here are the top 5 big Congress exits in five months of 2022
- Kapil Sibal: The lawyer-politician's ties with the Congress high command were at an all-time low. Following the Congress's brainstorming meeting in Udaipur earlier this month, he had said the leadership is in "cuckoo land". Sibal was a prominent member of "G-23", the rebel block in the grand old party pushing for sweeping reforms.
- Sunil Jakhar: The former Punjab chief, who had been showcaused by the Congress leadership for his criticism of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, quit the party this month and joined the BJP. In a scathing parting message, Mr Jakhar had said the top leaders needs to identify friends and foes.
- Hardik Patel: Gujarat leader Hardik Patel quit the Congress earlier this month after sulking over being sidelined within the party. In his resignation letter, he aimed zingers at Rahul Gandhi, saying top leaders were "distracted by mobile phones" when he met them. He also said Gujarat Congress was interested more in ensuring "chicken sandwiches" for leaders than in party's issues.
- Ashwani Kumar: The former law minister quit the Congress in February following a four-decade association. In his resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi, he said the move is "consistent with my dignity". He told NDTV he can only see the Congress going downhill in the "foreseeable future".
- RPN Singh: The former Union Minister crossed over to the BJP ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls. Speaking to the media, he said he was in the Congress for 32 years but the "party is no longer what it used to be". His exit followed another prominent UP leader Jitin Prasada's switch to the BJP last year.
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