‘Only Priyanka Gandhi can run Congress’: Tej Pratap Yadav doubts Rahul Gandhi’s leadership | WATCH
The debate over leadership within the Congress party has resurfaced, with Tej Pratap Yadav openly backing Priyanka Gandhi as the party’s future leader while expressing doubts about Rahul Gandhi’s ability to steer the organisation.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Janshakti Janta Dal founder didn’t hold back, drawing a direct comparison within the Gandhi family.
“Only Priyanka Gandhi can run it; she is like Indira Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi se chalne wala nhi hai (Rahul Gandhi can't run it) by going on a yatra, by sitting on a Bullet, Nitish Kumar ji left, someone else became CM, What's his motive?”
His remarks tap into a broader conversation around Congress leadership, especially at a time when the party is attempting to regain political ground nationally.
The statement comes shortly after political shifts in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar exited state politics, leading to Samrat Choudhary stepping in as Chief Minister.
Tej Pratap’s comments were also a response to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier criticism of Nitish Kumar, whom Gandhi had labelled as “compromised.”
This isn’t the first time Rahul Gandhi’s leadership has come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed raised concerns about internal functioning within the party.
He stated, “There is no internal democracy in the Congress party...In the Congress party, whatever Rahul Gandhi says is final.”
Ahmed also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s relationship with senior leaders, suggesting discomfort in working alongside experienced politicians.
“There are many leaders in Congress who have been politicians long before Rahul Gandhi became one. The day Rahul Gandhi ji won his first election, I won my fifth election. I believe he is uncomfortable sitting with those who don't think of him as their boss. I have felt this for a long time, but when you stay in party you don't say such things.”
He further alleged that Rahul Gandhi has been promoting younger leaders through organisations like Youth Congress and NSUI to replace established figures.
With ANI inputs