Anyone can contest against Sonia — Prasada

healthy development which will strengthen the party, Prasada said. After 11 years of misrule by other parties, the people had come to the conclusion that only the Congress can deliver the goods, he added, but cautioned that the party could come to power only after regaining its old glory.

“The party can be strengthened by ensuring participation of grassroot workers, free and fair organisational polls and holding of secret elections whenever necessary,” he said.

Had the party leadership abided by the Panchmarhi resolutions or kept the promises made at the AICC session, the Congress would not have been in the Opposition, Prasada asserted.

“In the party, those who talk about internal democracy are dubbed rebels. This should not be done in the interest of the party. Rajesh Pilot too had raised the same issues I have raised now,” he said.

Asked about the five letters he has written to the party’s election authority chairman Ram Niwas Mirdha, Prasada refused to divulge their contents.

He defended his absence from the party’s rally in Kanpur saying it wasn’t necessary for every leader to attend every rally, and pointed out that he was present at the public meeting at Ballia.