- Digvijaya Singh called for reforms in Congress and strengthening the organization
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he believes the organization must be strengthened
- Many Congress leaders backed Singh and rejected RSS ideology
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has backed senior colleague Digvijaya Singh's call for reforms within the party, asserting the need to strengthen the organisation, in the backdrop of a spiralling controversy over the latter's apparent praises for the BJP and its ideological parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Singh had last week highlighted the need for reforms and the decentralisation of power within the Congress in a public post, tagging Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. While the public remark from a senior leader left the Congress embarrassed, it also underlined the growing discontent among veteran leaders.
The controversy erupted after Singh praised the RSS and BJP in an online post yesterday. Sharing a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting on the floor near BJP veteran LK Advani, the Rajya Sabha MP said that a grassroots worker can grow within the BJP-RSS ecosystem to top posts like chief minister and prime minister.
Read: A "Godse" Remark As Congress Divided Over Digvijaya Singh's "RSS-BJP" Post
Though Singh later clarified that he remained a staunch opponent of the RSS-BJP, the damage was already done. Struggling after multiple electoral setbacks, the party appeared divided, with a large section of leaders emerging in the favour of Singh. The Congress, however, asserted it differed with the Sangh ideology and the "killers of Gandhi".
Tharoor, who has often been in the news over differences with his leaders, was asked this morning if he had a word with Singh and if he supported his calls for reforms within the party. The Thiruvananthapuram MP, who has posted a photo of him sitting next to Singh at the 140th foundation day event of the Congress, remarked, "We are friends, and having a conversation is natural. The organisation must be strengthened - there is no question about it."
Pointing to the party's century-old history, he further told reporters that there's a lot to learn from it. "We have a 140-year history; there's a lot we can learn. I also want the organization to be strong. Discipline is essential. That's logical. There must be discipline within our organization," he added.
Meanwhile, the controversy over Singh's post sparked a debate over whether a section of Congress leaders believed that the RSS's discipline was its strength that offered a learning opportunity.
Read: "Oppose Ideology": Digvijaya Singh Clarifies Amid His "RSS-BJP" Post Row
Singh clarified this morning he doesn't believe so.
"There's no need to learn anything from Gandhi's killers. I have been in the Congress and fought the communal forces in the Assembly or Parliament. I oppose their (RSS and BJP) ideology. I have been completely opposed to their ideology," he said, but asserted that every organisation needs strengthening.
A majority of his colleagues came out in his support and snubbed the RSS and BJP in an attempt to put up a united front.
Senior leader Supriya Shrinate said there is no need for the Congress to learn from RSS. "They should learn from us. We don't need to learn anything from (Nathuram) Godse's organisation," she said, referring to Mahatma Gandhi's killer.
Salman Khurshid, a Congress veteran, however, asserted that Singh is "completely" with the party leadership and that Singh and the Congress are on the same page on rejecting the RSS ideology.
Read: "RSS Workers Can Sell Comb To Bald Man": Digvijaya Singh Amid Row
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who had earlier called for a ban on the RSS, pointed out the difference between his party and the RSS-BJP combine, claiming that the Congress never does politics of religion. He didn't name Singh in his post, but his target was clear: raising the allegations against the RSS that his party has lately been highlighting.
"We may have less power, but our backbone is not weak. Whether we are in power or not, we do not seek votes in the name of religion. We believe in religion, but some have turned religion into politics. The BJP has power, but it lacks truth. RSS leaders had once refused to accept even the Tricolour and Vande Mataram, and they are now crushing the rights of the people. We must stand firmly and resist such attempts," he said.
Pawan Khera, a member of the highest decision-making body of the Congress, chose to differ with Singh's earlier remark, stating, "Godse's supporters cannot be Gandhi's supporters."
