AICC leaders in-charge of States not doing their job: Veerappa Moily
Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily indicated on Wednesday party general secretaries put in charge of States are not doing their job and called for revamping at the AICC level to strengthen the Sonia Gandhi-led outfit.
Asked to comment on the political crisis in Rajasthan, the former Union Minister appeared to back Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and also hinted that rebel leader Sachin Pilot should have patiently waited for his turn.
The Congress yesterday sacked Pilot as the Deputy Chief Minister as well as Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President.
"These days many of the youngsters are encouraged in the Congress party. But at the same time there is a need for well-tested leadership because you can't just neglect the veterans also," Moily told PTI.
Speaking in general terms, the former Karnataka Chief Minister said many of today's aspiring youth don't have patience at all and they need to have perseverance.
Pilot may deserve Chief Ministership but he should have waited for his turn, working within the party, he said noting that the 42-year-old leader was made Lok Sabha member, Union Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and PCC President by the party early in his political career.
At the same time, Moily said many a time, AICC general secretaries in charge of States are not "vigilant" and don't understand the problems faced by local party units.
"It (the Rajasthan-type crisis) can be prevented. Some of the (party's) disasters could be prevented. Many of the times, they (general secretaries) don't bring it to the notice of the central leadership, and don't keep them informed about developments and take immediate corrective actions," he said.
"These days we are not doing this kind of exercise whether it's northeastern states, or Madhya Pradesh or Karnataka, or any of these states. Many a time, vigilance on the part of high-command is also lacking. As a result, when everything happens (problem comes to a head) only then they become panicky, that's not the way," Moily said.
He recalled that he had earlier served as the party's in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry.
"We used to take corrective action (during that period) visit there. These days these exercises are not done. Now-a- days people who are put in charge (of the States) have no time to go there or be there, they don't undertake tours of the districts. You will have to understand the aspirations of leaders not only at State level but also at the district level, that's how you strengthen the party," he said.
"But at the same time, just like a man-eater, BJP also just waits for the opportunity. Their duty is to concentrate on COVID-19 and how to resolve the problems. They also divert their attention by (trying to) dismantle the non-BJP governments and they catch hold of these aspiring youth (from other parties) who are amenable," Moily alleged.
Congress has to reinvent itself by putting loyal leaders in charge of the organization in the States. It has to be reorganized right from the booth level. Giving importance to people who only come for power, position, and to leaders with money is not good, he pointed out. Consistency in loyalty is very important.
"In a month, general secretaries should be there in their respective States for 15-20 days. That is how all these problems can be solved," Moily said.
"In the high-command (All India Congress Committee), there should be a revamp."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
13 portfolios for Delhi CM Atishi, Bharadwaj in charge of 8 departments
New Delhi, Sep 21: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi will retain all the 13 portfolios, including education, revenue, finance, power and PWD, that she held in the previous government headed by Arvind Kejriwal.
A proposal from the chief minister for allocation of work among the ministers of her cabinet has been approved by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, officials said on Saturday. Atishi's predecessor Kejriwal did not hold any portfolio.
Atishi, the eighth chief minister of Delhi, has retained four ministers from the previous government -- Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Imran Hussain. First-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra Mukesh Ahlawat is a new member in her cabinet.
Bharadwaj will retain his previous portfolios and also have the charge of the social welfare and cooperative departments that were earlier held by Raaj Kumar Anand, who resigned in April.
His other portfolios include health, urban development, irrigation and tourism. Bharadwaj will have eight portfolios, the highest after the chief minister.
Ahlawat has been given the charge of the labour, gurdwara elections, welfare of SCs and STs and land and building departments.
Rai has retained the development, general administration department, environment and forest portfolios that he also held in the Kejriwal government.
Gahlot has also been given his previous portfolios -- transport, home, administrative reforms, women and child development.
Hussain will continue to hold the food and supply and election portfolios.
The allocation of work by the chief minister, approved by the LG, was gazette notified by the General Administration Department.
"In exercise of powers conferred under Rule 3 of the GNCTD (Allocation of Business) Rules 1993, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, in consultation with the chief minister, is pleased to allocate the portfolios to the ministers," read the notification.
"The allocation of business to the ministers is approved, in so far as, such business relates to matters with respect to which the Council of Ministers is required under Article 239AA of the Constitution to aid and advise the Lieutenant Governor in the exercise of his functions, in accordance with Rule 3 of the GNCTD (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1993 and subject to The GNCTD Act, 1991," it added.
