NewKerala.com

Congress Party Offers Freedom, Not Slavery, Says Rajeev Shukla

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla has stated that the party allows its members complete freedom to speak and act, rejecting any notion of a "slavery" culture within the organization. He made these remarks during a podcast interview, emphasizing that leaders are treated as trustworthy individuals. Shukla also reminisced about his long-standing personal relationship with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, which began when he was a journalist covering the PMO. He added that his strong ties with the Gandhi family and the Congress have endured through various political transitions over the years.

Key Points: Rajeev Shukla: "Freedom in Congress, No Slavery"

  • Shukla defends Congress's internal culture
  • Contrasts party freedom with "slavery"
  • Recalls close ties with Rajiv Gandhi
  • Stresses relationships survived political changes
  • Joined Rajya Sabha as independent
2 min read

"There is a lot of freedom in Congress party, nothing like slavery": Rajeev Shukla

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla asserts there is complete freedom within the party, contrasting it with "slavery," and recalls his bond with the Gandhi family.

"I think there is a lot of freedom in the Congress Party. There is nothing like slavery in Congress. - Rajeev Shukla"

New Delhi, January 24

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said that the party allows its leaders to speak freely and does not impose restrictions, asserting that there is complete freedom within the Congress and no culture of "slavery."

In a podcast interview with ANI, Shukla said, "I think there is a lot of freedom in the Congress Party. There is nothing like slavery in Congress. Just tell them this is why I did it, and they will never stop you or get angry about it. Freedom is very much present in the Congress Party. They don't treat you like slaves. They believe that you are a trustworthy person. A country's Prime Minister meets people from all sections of society, and he continues to meet them, it does not mean that he belongs to any particular party."

Shukla recalled his close association with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, saying he built strong personal relationships while covering the Prime Minister's Office as a journalist.

"Especially, we had a very good relationship with Rajiv Gandhi. I used to cover the Prime Minister's office for the Sunday magazine. That's when I first met them. Then, journalists traditionally went along with the Prime Minister for coverage. Now the journalists go separately. I developed friendship with them and got to know them well," he said.

He added that his relationship with the Gandhi family and the Congress Party has remained strong over the years, regardless of changes in political power.

"I maintained good relations with them continuously. Even after going out of power and VP Singh came to power, I remained close to them. Later, when I joined the Rajya Sabha as an independent supported by the Loktantrik Congress, these relationships remained unchanged. I can say that my ties with the Gandhi family and the Congress Party have always been strong," he said.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
With all due respect to Shukla ji, this feels a bit out of touch. The public perception is that the top leadership calls all the shots. Where was this freedom when senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad or Jyotiraditya Scindia voiced different opinions? Actions speak louder than words.
A
Aman W
He is speaking from his personal experience, which seems positive. Building relationships across political lines is important for a healthy democracy. His journey from journalist to politician is quite interesting.
S
Sarah B
The comment about the Prime Minister meeting people from all sections is a good point. The office should be above party politics. Interesting perspective from a seasoned insider.
K
Karthik V
Freedom is good, but too much freedom without discipline leads to chaos and factionalism, which the Congress has suffered from. A balance is needed. You need a strong, collective voice to be an effective opposition.
N
Nisha Z
His nostalgia for the Rajiv Gandhi era is evident. That was a different time for the party. The current challenges are on a different scale. Hope the younger leadership is listening and will foster this culture of trust he mentions.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50