Aghast at confusion in Congress, laments veteran leader

Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh on Monday said he is "aghast" at the disorientation into which the party has fallen since Rahul Gandhi's resignation, and urged the working committee to meet without delay under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take necessary decisions.

His strong remarks come amid the Congress plunging into a deep crisis after Gandhi made his decision to resign as party president public last week. He had submitted his resignation to the Congress Working Committee on May 25 which followed a spate of resignations by senior and middle-rank Congress leaders.

See his full letter HERE

"I am aghast to see the confusion and disorientation into which the party has fallen since Rahul Gandhi resigned on May 25. Instead of honouring his bold decision a month was wasted pleading him to take back his resignation," Singh said in a statement circulated among reporters.

"I strongly urge the working committee to meet without delay, perhaps under the chairmanship of former PM Manmohan Singh and take necessary decisions," the former Union minister said.

He also suggested that four Working presidents and vice presidents, one each for the four zones -- North, South, East and West -- should be appointed. He added that such a step would enable the introduction of younger people into the positions of authority.

"The longer the present uncertainty remains the more will our workers and voters around the country be demoralised," he said. 

"The negative cycle must be reversed before its is too late," he said.