"We all are worried about losses, especially about Bihar and by-polls results. I don't blame the leadership for the loss. Our people have lost the connection on the ground. One should be in love with their party," Azad said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Veteran politician, who was removed as All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in September, went on to say that Congress is on its lowest in the last 72 years, the grand old party does not have even the post of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha during last two terms. Hitting at the party leaders, Azad said that polls aren't worn by 5-star culture. Problem with leaders today is if they get a party ticket, they first book a 5-star hotel. They won't go if there's a rough road. Till the time 5-star culture is given up, one can't win elections.
"Till the time, we change our way of functioning at every level, things won't change. Leadership needs to give a programme to party workers and hold elections for posts. One should be so much indispensable that leadership asks for you in your absence," the senior Congress leader said.
Office bearers should understand their responsibility. Till the time, office bearers are appointed, they won't go. But if all office bearers are elected, then they will understand their responsibility. Right now, anyone gets any post in the party.
I'm giving a clean chit to Gandhis due to COVID pandemic as they can't do much right now. There's no change in our demands. They've agreed to most of our demands. Our leadership should hold elections if they want to become a national alternative and revive the party, rebel leader Ghulam Nabi Azad added.
(With inputs from ANI news agency)