Deora termed the 'Sonia vs Rahul' slant to the leadership debate as "an attempt to drive a wedge", urging partymen to not distract the Congress when it has an opening for revival in view of Modi government's declining graph.
Speaking to TOI, the former Mumbai MP said, "A change in Congress is inevitable. Transition from one generation to another is natural. That time has come for Congress. But Sonia Gandhi would continue in the mentorship role. The two generations can co-exist and work together for Congress."
The pro-Rahul cry follows demands from former chief ministers Amarinder Singh and Sheila Dikshit, and latter's son and former MP Sandeep, that Sonia should not hand over the charge to her son-heir apparent. The statements have only intensified with Rahul's return from a long sabbatical on Thursday.
Interestingly, Deora earned the nickname of weathervane in Congress when his tweets/comments in the UPA regime were found to be advance expressions of Rahul's views on key issues, like Adarsh scam or the ordinance on convicted MPs.
Deora dubbed the attempted veto against Rahul in favour of Sonia as motivated, albeit without mentioning names. "It is unfortunate. The leaders are settling factional regional scores by factionalizing the national leadership. That is unhealthy," he said.
He appeared to imply that Congressmen red-flagging Rahul were motivated by personal interests in states, like Amarinder Singh failing to get Punjab unit chief Partap Singh Bajwa removed and Dikshit irked at the elevation of bete-noire Ajay Maken as Delhi head.
Deora lamented that Congress was frittering away energy on an inevitable generational change when it should focus on revival. "A lot has changed in last one year. The sheen and shine of the (Modi) government is wearing off. It has opened an opportunity for Congress," he said.
The "factionalizing the national leadership" coinage appears significant as Congressmen for status quo are seen as pitting Sonia against son Rahul. "People should understand that this (Gandhi) family is one. It is united. It does not take sides. The family or the party are above regional factionalism," he argued, adding "What binds Congressmen together and makes them work unitedly is the trust in the family."
In an apparent warning to dissenters, Deora said "the continuous campaign is even hurting their interests in the long run".
While disagreeing with claims that Rahul lacks leadership qualities of Sonia, Deora said individuals suggesting this should realize when Rahul takes over, there would be "a unity of leadership with Sonia in the mentorship role".
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