Alappuzha (Kerala), Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday said some leaders leave the party as soon as they receive notices from central investigating agencies and 'fall at the feet of the BJP and the Central government.'
However, Venugopal, who is AICC general secretary (organisation), praised a leader like Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and said that according to him he defeated the alleged pressure exerted by the BJP through various agencies.
Citing the example of Shivakumar, he further said that the Karnataka Deputy CM was a leader who showed courage to remain in the party despite being jailed by central agencies without any reason.
While many other leaders left the Congress when they received notices from the Central Bureau of Investigation agencies and surrendered (to the BJP-led central government), Shivakumar announced that the Indian National Congress is his mother and he would leave the party.
“Shivkumar was sent to jail…sent to Tihar jail without any reason.He was told that he would be released if he agreed to leave the party. I know of people who told them about it. But he told him that Venugopal said, "I like the Indian National Congress like his mother and he will not leave it."
The AICC general secretary, who is contesting from Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency, was speaking during a campaign event which was attended by Shivakumar.
He said Shivakumar was a leader who showed courage to tell his political opponents that he would not leave his party, even if he had to remain in jail for several months.Venugopal further said, some leaders cannot say this and when they get notices (from investigating agencies) they easily surrender and fall at the feet of political opponents.
"I'm really happy for Shivakumar," he said.
Venugopal also criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his constant criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He reiterated that if Vijayan is trying to please someone by criticizing Rahu Gandhi, then Congress has no problem with it.
The senior leader said, “Congress is on a mission during the Lok Sabha elections…and that is not to reclaim India, the country that loves and cares for everyone.For this we will have to win as many seats as possible."
Venugopal is contesting against sitting MPs A M Arif of LDF and Shobha Surendran of BJP.
However, Venugopal, who is AICC general secretary (organisation), praised a leader like Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and said that according to him he defeated the alleged pressure exerted by the BJP through various agencies.
Citing the example of Shivakumar, he further said that the Karnataka Deputy CM was a leader who showed courage to remain in the party despite being jailed by central agencies without any reason.
While many other leaders left the Congress when they received notices from the Central Bureau of Investigation agencies and surrendered (to the BJP-led central government), Shivakumar announced that the Indian National Congress is his mother and he would leave the party.
“Shivkumar was sent to jail…sent to Tihar jail without any reason.He was told that he would be released if he agreed to leave the party. I know of people who told them about it. But he told him that Venugopal said, "I like the Indian National Congress like his mother and he will not leave it."
The AICC general secretary, who is contesting from Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency, was speaking during a campaign event which was attended by Shivakumar.
He said Shivakumar was a leader who showed courage to tell his political opponents that he would not leave his party, even if he had to remain in jail for several months.Venugopal further said, some leaders cannot say this and when they get notices (from investigating agencies) they easily surrender and fall at the feet of political opponents.
"I'm really happy for Shivakumar," he said.
Venugopal also criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his constant criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He reiterated that if Vijayan is trying to please someone by criticizing Rahu Gandhi, then Congress has no problem with it.
The senior leader said, “Congress is on a mission during the Lok Sabha elections…and that is not to reclaim India, the country that loves and cares for everyone.For this we will have to win as many seats as possible."
Venugopal is contesting against sitting MPs A M Arif of LDF and Shobha Surendran of BJP.
