Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday asserted that all those who quit the party to switch over to the BJP, particularly younger leaders, should never be taken back into the party fold. In an interview with PTI Videos, Ramesh said it would be 'shameful for us' to even consider them returning.
Ramesh Calls Defections 'Shameful'
Ramesh specified that this was his personal opinion. His remarks came in response to a question on the exodus of young leaders such as Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada, Milind Deora, and RPN Singh to the BJP over the last 12 years, and whether the Congress could consider their return in future.
'To all those who have left the party. I don't want to talk of any individual but all those who have left the party after enjoying the perks of power and office, after having been the beneficiaries of the party, it would be shameful for us to even consider them to come back, but Indian politics being Indian politics,' Ramesh said.
Ideological Commitment of Remaining Leaders
The last 12 years has demonstrated who is resilient, Ramesh said, adding that people in the Congress today are ideologically committed and wedded to the party. 'We are not the party in power,' he noted.
Ramesh expressed regret that those, particularly younger people, who had enjoyed office, perks of power, and important positions in the party organisation, decided to leave for a party ideologically diametrically opposed to the Congress. 'My opinion is that they should not be taken back. It is my private opinion,' he reiterated.
Background of Defections
Leaders such as Scindia, Prasada, Deora, and RPN Singh were considered next-generation Congress leaders and close to former party chief Rahul Gandhi. They switched to the BJP at different times, hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and sometimes taking potshots at their former party.
