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Journalism of Courage
First, the Maharashtra Congress wanted the party high command to take a soft line on Hindutva, now senior leaders are urging their Central leadership to tone down its virulent attack on Veer Savarkar. Afraid of losing further ground with the electorate, partymen want the AICC to embark on a damage-control exercise in the state with immediate effect.
According to sources, Congressmen are extremely disappointed with the party high command for ‘‘its short-sighted’’ approach to ‘‘such a sensitive issue’’. Stating that the Shiv Sena and the BJP had managed to get political mileage from the issue, partymen feel that Congress president Sonia Gandhi should have been better briefed about the issue.
‘‘Irrespective of party ideology, Savarkar is a sensitive issue in Maharashtra and for Maharashtrians. The state will go to polls early next year and the party leadership should have taken care against jeopardising our chances here,’’ said an angry former chief minister.
‘‘Indiraji praised Savarkar in Parliament and released a stamp too, so why did Soniaji oppose the installation of Savarkar’s portrait. She should have been better advised by her political advisers,’’ said a newly-inducted Congress minister.
Partymen are aware of the anti-incumbency factor against the Congress as coalition partner NCP has managed to shift the onus of the government’s dismal performance. Through statewide protest rallies, the Sena and the BJP have managed to effectively project the failure of the Democratic Front government, particularly the Congress, a move which has got them substantial gains.
In the face of this, the state Congress leaders feel that retaining power in Maharashtra will be difficult for the party. According to sources, some senior leaders are all set to tour their constituencies and undo the damage done by the high command.
