"G-23 Is Over," Says Maharashtra Congress Leader, Then Adds Caveat

With internal polls, demands of 23 dissenting leaders met, says Prithviraj Chavan; insists chief be fulltime, opposing Ashok Gehlot's two-post idea

Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chauhan today said the main demands of the G-23 — a group of party leaders, including him, who sought internal elections and full-time leadership — have been met: "So, I think, the G-23 is over." 

But he added, "We can raise our voice if there's a problem with the democratic process." He pointed towards one such thing — state units asking Sonia Gandhi to choose their chiefs — and called it "wrong". Yet, on resolutions asking Rahul Gandhi to retake the top post — the Maharashtra unit, of which Mr Chavan is a senior member, has passed it too — he said, "Even today, if he wants to contest, we will welcome him if he fills the form." Mr Gandhi has ruled that out.

"We (G-23) had insisted, whoever becomes the president should be elected and work full-time. Sonia Gandhi has accepted both those things. Our initiative was not against the Gandhi family," he added.

He also spoke against the idea that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, frontrunner for the chief's post, could stay in both positions: "He is a senior leader, a good leader. But if he insists on being on both the posts, then I will not accept. Is Congress President a part-time job? Is Chief Minister a part-time job?"