Kharge, Gehlot attack Kapil Sibal for criticising Gandhi family's leadership

New Delhi, Mar 16: Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal’s statement on Tuesday for reforms in the party and suggestion for Gandhis to step aside from the leadership role for a new leader has stoked controversy in the grand old party once again. Sibal yesterday reiterated the need for reforms in Congress, saying it is time the Gandhis step aside from the leadership role for a new leader. "The Gandhis should voluntarily move away because a body nominated by them will never tell them that they should not continue to hold the reins of power," the 73-year-old leader told in an interview to The Indian Express, who is among the members of rebel group called G-23 said. In 2020, Sibal was a signatory to a letter written by 23 Congress leaders to Sonia Gandhi, calling for sweeping reforms in the party including a 'full time leadership' which is active on the field, elections to the CWC and an institutionalised leadership mechanism to guide the party's 'revival'. However, Sibal’s statement has not gone right with Gandhi family loyalists. Kapil Sibal isn't a person from Congress culture. He's a renowned advocate who entered Congress. Sonia Ji & Rahul Ji has given him a lot of chances. It's not expected from a person who doesn't know ABC of Congress to give such statements, said Rajasthan Chief Minister & Congress leader Ashok Gehlot. Attacking Sibal, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said Kapil Sibal is deliberatly trying to weaken Congress. He may be a good lawyer but he is not a mass leader as he is not aware of the ground realities about politics, Kharge added.