New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Monday slammed the party’s tie-up with Indian Secular Front (ISF) led by Muslim cleric Abbas Siddiqui in West Bengal, saying it was against “Gandhian and Nehruvian secularism” and the party cannot be selective in fighting the “communalists”.
Sharma, a former Union minister and a leader of the group of 23 which had written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanding organisational overhaul, said the issue of “alliance” with a radical party like the ISF should have been discussed and approved by the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
“Congress’ alliance with parties like ISF and other such forces militates against the core ideology of the party and Gandhian and Nehruvian secularism, which forms the soul of the party. These issues need to be approved by the CWC,” he said on Twitter.
He also sought clarification from West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for attending the joint rally in Kolkata where ISF leaders were present, alleging that his presence and endorsement was “painful and shameful”.
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“Congress cannot be selective in fighting communalists but must do so in all its manifestations, irrespective of religion and colour. The presence and endorsement by West Bengal PCC [Pradesh Congress Committee] President is painful and shameful, he must clarify,” the senior party leader said.
However, Chowdhury said the West Bengal PCC has not taken any decision of its own. Any decision in this regard has been taken jointly in consultation with the party leadership, he said.
Chowdhury hit out at his colleague Anand Sharma over his criticism, accusing him of “undermining” the party’s interest by making remarks “in tune with the BJP’s agenda”.
In a series of tweets, Chowdhury did not mince words in criticising Sharma. “Know ur facts@AnandSharmaINC ji. CPI(M)-led Left Front is leading the secular alliance in West Bengal, of which Congress is an integral part. We are determined to defeat BJP’s communal & divisive politics and an autocratic regime,” he tweeted late on Monday night. “@INCIndia has got its full share of seats. Left Front is allocating seats from its share to the newly-formed Indian Secular Front-ISF. Ur choice to call the decision of CPM-led front ‘communal’ is only serving the polarising agenda of BJP,” Chowdhury said.
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The West Bengal Congress chief said: “Those who are committed to fighting against #BJP parties venomous communalism should support the Congress & campaign for the party in five states rather than attempting to undermine the party by remarks in tune with BJP’s agenda.” He added, “Would urge a select group of distinguished Congressmen to rise above always seeking personal comfort spots & stop wasting time singing praises of PM. They owe a duty to strengthen the Party & not undermine the tree that nurtured them.”
Sources said the Congress’s seat-sharing arrangement is with the Left in the state, and the Left parties will accommodate ISF in their share.
The CWC is the highest decision-making body of the party. Sharma is a member of the CWC and the deputy leader of the Congress in Rajya Sabha.
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The Congress is contesting the West Bengal assembly elections in alliance with the Left and ISF but is fighting the CPI(M) in Kerala as the principal opposition party.
Leaders of the Left, Congress and the ISF addressed a joint rally at the Brigade Parade ground in Kolkata on Sunday. Joining the Left and Congress leaders at the dais was Abbas Siddique of the iconic Furfura Shareef and founder of the ISF, a recent member of the opposition alliance in the state.
Sharma and several other ‘G-23’ leaders had gathered in Jammu on Saturday and said that the party was weakening, in an apparent show of dissent. The ‘G-23’ leaders had earlier written to Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanding elections to all party posts, including the CWC, and an organisational overhaul with a new ‘active’ party chief.
Note: This article has been updated since publication with Adhir Chowdhury’s response.