File photo of Congress leader Digvijaya Singh
In what is being interpreted as a veiled criticism of Rahul Gandhi's governing abilities, party general secretary Digvijaya Singh said that the Congress vice-president does not have a temperament suited to the ruling benches.
In an interview to a Goa cable news channel on Friday, Mr Singh said that Mr Gandhi should have taken up the responsibility of leading the party in the Lok Sabha and taking on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. He went on to add, "He is by temperament not a ruling person. He is by temperament someone who wants to fight injustice."
Mr Singh later clarified, "I said he always fought against injustice. Therefore, he is not for power. That is the difference between him and us and even Sonia Gandhi and us. Everyone has fought for power. That is the difference between their family and others."
Mr Singh's statement came at a time when Mr Gandhi as well as his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi are facing criticism for lack of leadership skills by both Congressmen as well as party detractors. (
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The party general secretary, who is in charge of Goa, was in the state on a two-day visit to take stock of the party affairs and meet Pradesh Congress Committee members. (
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Mr Singh also said that he had suggested Mr Gandhi to take up the role of the main Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, a responsibility given to Congress' Karnataka stalwart
Mallikarjun Kharge after the Congress's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. (
Mallikarjun Kharge, Not Rahul Gandhi, to Lead Congress in Lok Sabha)
"In a democracy, opposition space is necessary. Since the Congress is the largest Opposition group, our Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi should have taken up the responsibility," he said in the interview.