Chennai: Once a die-hard loyalist, former Union minister Jayanthi Natarajan has emerged as the first to go public against the Gandhis of the Congress party.
In justifying her exit from the party, Ms Natarajan has not only put up a grand show of rebellion against the party leadership but also done something no disgruntled Congressmen had ever dared to attempt – directly attacking the party poster boy Rahul Gandhi.
Most of her “tell all” letter to party president Sonia Gandhi, copy of which she circulated to the media at the emotional presser on Friday, was pitched against the Congress vice-president. From exposing cronyism in the UPA regime to Rahul’s personal interference in the government’s affairs, Ms Natarajan left little untouched.
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Unsurprisingly, she was not the sole voice against the Gandhi’s in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Manila Congress (Moopanar) leader C. Gnanasekaran joined the issue with her by saying, “We understood Rahul Gandhi long back and quit Congress. I wonder why it took Jayanthi Natarajan so long to realize it? Instead of strengthening the Congress, Rahul Gandhi has been doing everything to weaken the Congress since the beginning.”
Read: Congress leaders rally behind Rahul Gandhi after attack from former Union Minister
“He (Rahul) is acting unilaterally without understanding the sentiments and concerns of people and Congress units in the state. That is why Congress is biting the dust in all states. Leaders are expressing their grievances slowly. Friction is felt in TN Congress just now. Chidambaram is also showing his protest. One day or other he may also open up. Many more will quit. It will happen in other states too,” Gnanasekaran added.
Excerpts from letter written by Natarajan to Sonia Gandhi
- I have served the Congress party from 1984. I have been four-time MP and former MoS without a single blemish on my reputation. Thirty years later, for no fault of mine, I find that my own small work, and glorious legacy of my family stand ruined.”
- I was never a bottleneck, nor was I responsible for unwarranted delays in major projects. I can prove this at any time. I was shatter by the attack upon me and bewildered.
Read: Tamil Nadu Congress chief ‘thanks’ Jayanthi Natarajan for quitting
When I returned in the first week of January 2014, I was given an appointment to meet you (Sonia Gandhi). I explained my agony to you and asked what I had done wrong. You replied that elections were coming up and I was required for party work. I told you that media was keen. I should speak to them in view of the huge speculation over my resignation, but you specifically told me not to meet the media.”
- The next day my resignation was headlines in the media. All the initial reports correctly reported that I had stepped down for party work. By the afternoon, to my shock I received information that persons from Rahul Gandhi’s office were calling media and planting stories that my resignation was not for party work. My sources were impeccable. I felt unease.”
Read: Jayanthi Natarajan was not accessible even to Congress MPs from Kerala: Oommen Chandy
- On 20th December 2013, the then PM summoned me to his office. When I entered he stood up from his chair, looking tense and grim and uttered these exact words. He said, “Jayanthi, I have been told by Congress president, that your services, I require for party work.” I was puzzled and said, “Yes Sir. So what should I do?” He replied, “She wants you to resign.” I was shocked and said, “Resign sir? But when?” He replied “today”. I once again asked him if this was what the Congress presided wished. He answered in the affirmative. Unsuspecting, and trusting you totally, I did not utter as ingle word, but smiled at him and I would comply with the wishes of the Congress president.”
