We are not dissenters, did not challenge leadership: Congress's 'Group of 23'

A day after being hammered by colleagues at the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), few of the 23 leaders who had sought sweeping changes in the organisation brushed aside the “dissenters” barb, contending that they were “proponents of revival” of the party.

Senior leader M Veerappa Moily, in a statement, said that it was an “admitted fact” that the organisation of the Congress party was not in a position to take forward the Congress philosophy and protect democracy in the present turbulent condition in the country.

READ: 23 Cong leaders write to Sonia, flag leadership crisis

Moily said the intention of the letter was to keep the party ready for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He asserted that Sonia Gandhi's leadership was “always required” and welcomed the decision of the CWC to urge her to continue as party chief.

Senior leaders Anand Sharma, Mukul Wasnik and Vivek Tankha, who are signatories to the letter, asserted that the intention for writing the letter was in the best interest of the party.

“It’s not about a post. It’s about my country which matters most,” senior leader Kapil Sibal said in a cryptic tweet on Tuesday.

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AICC Treasurer Ahmed Patel reached out the senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and had a long chat with him trying to understand the need for writing the letter and seeking to address certain issues raised by the group, now dubbed as G-23 within the party.

“Sooner than later those who saw the letter as an offence will also realise that the issues raised are worth consideration,” AICC General Secretary Wasnik said.

READ: Letter written with best interest of party: Congress leader Anand Sharma

Another Congress leader, belonging to the group which wrote the letter, said they were satisfied with the outcome of the CWC meet.

Some leaders who signed the letter were present at the CWC meeting and agreed to the proposals, said the leader, who wished not to be named.

"We have never expressed any doubts on the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and whatever decisions Sonia ji will take, will be acceptable to us," the leader said.

Also read: CWC urges Sonia Gandhi to continue as interim chief

"We are working to strengthen the party, not working against anyone," the leader said.

Stating that the Gandhi family is always known for patriotism and sacrifice, Moily said Sonia Gandhi's leadership is always required and her consent to continue as president is the "most welcome step".

Sharma said the letter carried “suggestions for party's renewal” and should not be viewed as dissent.

“The letter was written with the best interest of the party in our hearts and conveying shared concerns over the present environment in the country and sustained assault on the foundational values of the constitution,” Sharma said.

Also read: Some of 23 Congress leaders who wrote to Sonia Gandhi meet after CWC

Tankha said the letter was not a challenge to leadership but a parchment of action to strengthen the party.

“Friends, we are not dissenters but proponents of revival,” he said adding that universally, truth was best defence whether it be Court or Public Affairs.

“History acknowledges the brave & not the timid,” said Tankha, a Supreme Court lawyer.