Moily slams Venkataswamy's comments on Sonia Gandhi, says action will be taken against him.
Shocked out of their wits, senior Congress leaders on Wednesday went into overdrive, launching a damage control exercise by defending party President Sonia Gandhi and describing G Venkataswamy's words as 'absurd, irresponsible, insensitive, unwarranted and gross violation of party discipline'.
Leading the pack on Wednesday, was Union Law Minister and party In-Charge For Andhra Pradesh Affairs Veerappa Moily, who said that action against the 82-year-old leader is imminent.
Moily revealed to media persons that he had indeed called Venkataswamy earlier in the day, asking him to withdraw his comments. The law minister added that Venkataswamy was unrelenting, unapologetic and undaunted by the prospect of disciplinary action against him.
"A serious note has been taken of Venkataswamy's comments, and action will be taken," said Moily. He described the comments as arrogant, and the attack on Sonia Gandhi, vicious.
The law minister however refused to reveal the action that might be taken against Venkataswamy.
He said that the senior leader who has risen to a position of respect, and chose to show his gratitude by targeting the party which has 'nurtured him like a mother'.
Moily said that Venkataswamy did not deny his statements during their telephonic conversation. He revealed that the senior leader was adamant on not rescinding his words.
The Union Law Minister, in another conversation with a national media house, is believed to have described Venkataswamy's comments as 'absolutely absurd, irresponsible, insensitive and grossly violative of the norms and standards of discipline of the Indian National Congress'.
Venkataswamy had on Tuesday demanded that the party President Sonia Gandhi resign from her post immediately.
The senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee member had stated that he foresaw no improvement in the party if Gandhi continues in her post. The party's popularity was dwindling under Gandhi's leadership, he had opined, adding that she should make way for a person of Indian origin.
The senior leader also predicted that the Congress will be wiped out from the country if she continues as the party President.
The senior leader had also strongly objected the proposed alliance between the Congress and the Praja Rajyam Party.
"What is the need for the Congress to seek alliance with a party such as the PRP, especially when it enjoys a majority," Venkataswamy had questioned.
Courtesy: INN