“Discussions and group photos on stage will not suffice”. In a hard-hitting speech at the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Sangamam organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee here on Saturday, Mr Antony also called for a generational change in the leadership of the party.
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In his address to the party’s elected representatives, Antony stressed on the bringing the party members who have quit back to the party. Mr. Antony voiced his concern for the Sangh Parivar poaching from the party’s ranks.
The Congress leader pointed out that the BJP is making an all-out effort to make India Congress-free, while the CPI (M) strives for the disintegration of the UDF in the state. “It is a serious issue that the Congress party, which is leading the UDF, is not able to take a unified stand or joint action when the country and the state are facing several political challenges”.
But it failed to learn and lost the Assembly polls as well. “Efforts should be made to bring back those who keep away from the party”, he said, calling on party leaders to stop infighting and work to bring back those workers who keep away from Congress. Nothing other than unity would help it plug the erosion and there should be more youth in the party’s ranks, Mr. Antony said.
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Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Antony clarified that by “generational change” he was not advocating for a total revamp of the existing leadership. But when the votes were counted it suffered a humiliating defeat, which saw the Congress-led UDF reduced to just 47 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly.
