Sunil Sharma, who was given a ticket by the Congress to fight from Jaipur for the Lok Sabha elections, continues to haunt the party despite his withdrawal from the race after internal rumblings in the party.
In a tell-all interview to CNN-News18, Sharma attacked the party for being “dominated by Left-leaning ideology bordering on fanaticism” which, according to him, has ruined the Congress.
“I have been a PCC member, social media in-charge and the Congress war room was my brainchild. My dignity was questioned which is wrong. They are sycophants. If they think my party would lose because of me, it’s best I opt out. Congress has some people who target anyone who talks about Nehru and Gandhi. These Left-minded and ‘Kattar’ people gang up against us,” he said.
Sharma, who is considered close to Ashok Gehlot and state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, was chosen by the party’s CEC to fight from what is considered a tough seat. However, given his association with a rabid, anti-Congress handle and YouTube channel Jaipur Dialogues, several party leaders were unhappy over his selection.
Senior leader Shashi Tharoor claimed he had faced the most vitriolic attack from this handle and was surprised that Sharma was given a ticket. Taking to X, he said: “He must have undergone some sort of Pauline epiphany on the road to 24 akbar! This is just one of the several dozen tweets from his handle attacking me.” Tharoor was referring to a post where Sharma allegedly called him “a Rahul Gandhi with a thesaurus”.
Hitting out at the criticism, Sharma said: “Tharoor was once bargaining with Jaipur Dialogues. He wanted five-star hotels and airfare and he attacked me. He should also walk the talk and return his ticket on grounds of principle.”
He added: “My secular integrity was questioned. My whole family fought for principles. What credibility do my opposers have? I will file an FIR against those who took money to tweet against me.”
Though Sharma denied any connection with Jaipur Dialogues, his denial did not cut ice. In the end, Rahul Gandhi, who had stayed away from the CEC on Rajasthan, had his way — Sharma was out and replaced by Pratap Singh Khachariyawas. However, Sharma’s diatribe has once again added to the charge that many have made against the Congress — That the party under Rahul Gandhi is run like an NGO and under Left influence.
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