'Get Well Soon': Congress Workers Protest Outside Kapil Sibal's House For His 'Not Ji Huzoor-23' Remarks

Kapil Sibal expressed anguish over the developments in the party in Punjab and the recent exodus of party leaders, saying all such issues need to be discussed at a party platform.

Angry Congress workers protest outside Kapil Sibal's residence in New Delhi. (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: Soon after the veteran political leader Kabil Sibal questioned the senior leadership of the Congress party over its handling of the Punjab unit crisis, scores of party workers reached outside his residence in the national capital to protest against his remarks. 

Earlier in the day, Sibal (73), held a press conference where he demanded that an immediate meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) be convened and wondered who in the party was taking decisions in the absence of a full-time president.

Addressing the media, he said a senior member of the 'Group of 23' has written to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for convening the CWC meeting immediately to discuss the party affairs and the exodus.

Hours after his remarks, workers of Delhi Congress protested against senior party leader Kapil Sibal outside his residence showing placards reading 'Get Well Soon Kapil Sibal'. 

Congress Leaders Slam Kapil Sibal

Sibal was also slammed by several Congress leaders including former Delhi Congress President Ajay Maken. 

While speaking to news agency ANI, Maken said that senior leaders like Sibal should not degrade the organisation that gave them an identity. 

"Sonia Gandhi ji had ensured that Kapil Sibal becomes a minister in Union Cabinet despite not having organizational background. Everyone in the party is being heard. Want to tell Mr Sibal and others that they should not degrade the organization that gave them an identity," Maken said.

Chhattisgarh minister and Congress leader TS Singh Deo too reacted to Sibal's remaking saying that he is misleading. 

"Sonia Gandhi Ji making decisions in the party. Unfortunate that an experienced person like Kapil Sibal doesn't know decisions are being taken. Those committed to ideology of Congress will never leave the party," Deo said.

Kabil Sibal On Punjab Crisis

Sibal expressed anguish over the developments in the party in Punjab and the recent exodus of party leaders, saying all such issues need to be discussed at a party platform.

"A border state where this is happening to Congress party means what? It is an advantage to ISI and Pakistan. We know the history of Punjab and the rise of extremism there… Congress should ensure that they remain united," he told media. 

"In our party at the moment there is no president. So we don't know who is taking these decisions. We know and yet we don't know," Sibal said.

Speaking about "Group of 23", Sibal said that it is very clear, we are G-23 not Ji Huzoor 23. "We will keep talking. We will continue to reiterate our demands," Sibal added.

Punjab Congress Crisis

A high-end political drama in Congress Punjab unit continues with series of resignations and now former CM Amarinder Singh meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence has fueled the speculations of him joining the BJP. 

It all started with Singh's resignation from CM post citing 'humiliation' followed by Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu quitting the post expressing dissatisfaction with the cabinet picked by new CM Charanjit Singh Channi.