Delhi Congress leaders, a confused lot

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, MAY 2. The Delhi unit of the Congress(I) and its senior leaders are a jittery lot over the decision of a few young MLAs to form a ``neutral group'' and pursue a positive development-oriented agenda. The group is all charged up to challenge the leadership of the ``spent force'' in Delhi who are constantly hijacking local politics.

This ``third group'' has met with positive response within the Congress Legislature Party (CLP). A large number of MLAs felt it was time the young generation got its due and a second line of leadership built. Many MLAs were of the view that senior leaders have had their innings and should make way for the youth.

Significantly, the group's formation is being attributed to the dominance of leaders like Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Mr.J.P. Aggarwal and Mr. Jagdish Tytler. Many MLAs in this group were once considered close to Mr. Sajjan Kumar. They are also sore with the DPCC(I) chief, Mr. Subhash Chopra, for giving undue importance to these leaders. They allege that Mr.Chopra is working under the influence of these ``discredited and disgruntled'' persons.

The impact of the group was felt immediately at the meeting called by the DPCC(I) on Monday to launch a signature campaign on the Tehelka issue. The turnout was poor and only three MLAs, two of them loyalists, turned up. Many MLAs stayed away deliberately to express their resentment against Mr. Chopra's attitude. ``We have stood by Mr. Chopra and are ready to back him anytime. But he should get out of the clutches of old-timers and form his independent group. Unfortunately, our feelings are being over- looked," said a West Delhi MLA to explain the absence.

It is understood that Mr. Brahm Pal, Mr. Bhisham Sharma, Ms. Meira Bhardwaj, Mr.Arvinder Singh Lovely, Mr. Mahabal Mishra, Mr. Raj Kumar Chauhan, Mr. Surinder Kumar, Ms. Sushila Jaikishen, Mr. Deep Chand Bandhu and Ms. Tajdar Babbar have, reportedly, joined hands to break the monopoly of the senior rebel leaders. ``These leaders are taking Mr. Chopra and the Congress(I) for a ride. They were not given tickets for certain considerations. Those conditions still prevail and it is amazing why they should be allowed any leverage when they could not gain the confidence of the high command during the Lok Sabha polls,'' another MLA remarked.

Many MLAs said they did not want any confrontation, but to concentrate on developmental work. ``We will not oppose the Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, for the sake of opposing. If she does good work, we will support her. But if she falters, we will not spare her," an East Delhi MLA stated.

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