Kapil Sibal dumps Congress, exodus from grand old party continues; leaders react

New Delhi: Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal resigned the grand old party and filed nomination for the Rajya Sabha as an Independent candidate. He will get the backing of Samajwadi Party (SP) for election to the Upper House.

While filing nomination for the Upper House, he told press, ‘I quit the party on May 16’.

Sibal is among the latest Congress veteran to quit the party. He was among the most vocal dissenters of party and the leading face of ‘Group of 23’ that called for ‘sweeping changes and wide-ranging reforms’ in the party. A couple of other leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad & Anand Sharma also revolted against family loyalists holding sway and genuine ones being ignore & sidelined, however, they have found a place in recent Congress committees formed for 2024 poll battle.

For quite sometime, Kapil Sibal made his disagreement with party’s working style clear and called for introspection & corrective action but party leadership chose not to pay heed.

Political reactions over Sibal’s exit

Sibal’s exit has kicked up a political storm. Many leaders including that of rival BJP, party rebels & analysts rebel have reacted to the newsbreak.

BJP took dig at Cong’s parivarvaad or dynasty politics while party rebels called for reforms.

Political analyst Sanjay Jha termed it a terrible loss for the Congress as he is not just a formidable asset for the party but also a phenomenal Parliamentarian.

“He was frustrated to a great extent. He probably did not see the intent in Congress to bring about the required changes,” said Jha.

BJP spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawalla said that dissent voice in Congress were being crushed by the family and those not agreeing with Gandhis were being shown the door.

“Kapil’s resignation shows there is no place for dissenters in Congress. If you are not a durbari, you are shown the door. It is clear Congress is not a party; it is a parivaar (family),” Shehzaad said.