Congress's overflowing cup of woes: Party high command faces dissent in half a dozen states

From Assam in the east to Gujarat in the west and Punjab in the north to Kerala down south, the Congress's top leadership is at pains to contain turmoil in state units. With leaders like Ashok Gehlot and Captain Amarinder Singh openly defying diktats of central leadership, political analysts are wondering if the Gandhis are losing their grip over the Congress.

The Congress's cup of woes is overflowing. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is in the national capital for the second time this month amid efforts by Congress high command to quell discontent in the state unit. Disgruntled leader and former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot has also arrived in Delhi and so is Karnataka unit chief DK Shivkumar, angered by supporters of fellow leader K Siddaramaiah. Unhappy over being sidelined by the party in the state unit, former Kerala leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala met with former party president Rahul Gandhi last week. While crucial ally in Jharkhand JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren went back to Ranchi after failing to meet the Gandhis and in Assam, a newly-elected MLA quit the party to join the BJP with more likely to follow suit. From Assam in the east to Gujarat in the west and Punjab in the north to Kerala down south, the party's top leadership is at pains to contain turmoil in state units. With regional 'khatraps' like Ashok Gehlot and Captain Amarinder Singh openly defying diktats of central leadership, political analysts are wondering if the Gandhis are losing their grip over the grand old party.