Kolkata: In the aftermath of the Congress's unmitigated rout in the recent assembly elections, the inner discontent have come to the fore with party leaders suggesting major surgery cosmetic or cardiac) to save the grand old party from terminal decline.
But what's surprising is now Congress has to take written assurance from its own legislators to show their unflinching allegiance to party high command.
According to a report by The Indian Express, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Chowdhury Tuesday made winning MLAs from his party sign an undertaking “swearing unqualified allegiance” to the party led by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and do not involve in in any anti-party activity”.
The undertaking, made on a Rs 100-stamp paper, has the following points.
1) “I do swear my unqualified allegiance to Indian National Congress led by Hon’ble Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji and Hon’ble Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi Ji.”
2) “I, as a member of the legislative assembly, will not get involved in any anti-party activity. Even if I do not agree with any party policy and/or party decision, I will not make any negative comment thereon and/or I shall not take any negative action to the detriment of the party. In such a scenario, I shall resign from my post of MLA before making such comment and/or taking such action.”
3) I as a member of Legislative Assembly will abide by the party guidelines and following “guidelines framed by the CLP leader and the chief whip in the floor of the assembly”, while the fourth confirms that the first three statements are “true to my knowledge”.
The latest move by West Bengal Congress has once again raised doubts over trhe democratic nature of the party which has already been targetted by opposition for encouraging dynastic politics.
