Lucknow: Senior Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma alleged that some leaders in the party, who have contact with other political parties, are trying to sideline the Gandhi family, especially Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.
"Some from within the party are out to sideline the Gandhi family, especially Rahul Gandhi. Those criticising the leadership are from within the party having contact with other political parties," Verma said on Monday.
Refusing to take any name, Verma said, "Everyone knows their names and faces. They are the ones who sold tickets in 2012 Assembly elections, amassed huge wealth while the party was declining in the state and worked against the party in the Lok Sabha elections."
The former Union minister said those who had been praising the Congress Vice President earlier are today questioning his leadership abilities after the party's bad show at the hustings.
"Rahul is the only leader of the country and Congress who can replace Narendra Modi," Verma said, adding that he (Rahul) has deep knowledge of politics, society and economy and is above caste and religion.
Exuding confidence about Congress' return to power, Verma said Rahul would soon take stern measures to revamp the party.
He said the Lok Sabha elections have pushed small and regional parties to the sidelines, which proves that national political parties would be the central players.
Verma also said that there was a possibility of mid-term polls taking place in Uttar Pradesh as the BJP after its massive win in the Lok Sabha elections was "trying to destabilise" the Akhilesh Yadav government.
"Mid term polls are possible in Uttar Pradesh...government getting such a mandate in the past have done the same and it could be possible this time round too," he said.
"Besides there are inputs that there is an attempt to wean away 40 to 50 SP MLAs to destabilise the government and go in for mid term elections, which if held at this juncture, would help the BJP come to power in UP," he alleged.
The Congress leader, however, said his party would not like to have such a scenario, as it still needs time to re-strengthen its base in the state and therefore, would like to see the Samajwadi Party government to complete its term.
"My party Congress needs time to regain lost ground so I I want the present SP government to complete its term and in this context I had earlier stated that I am ready to help Mulayam Singh Yadav to counter BJP," Verma said, adding that this statement of his was however misinterpreted as his desire to return to the Samajwadi Party.
"There is no chance of my returning to SP, it is like hell while Congress is heaven for me," he said.
Criticising the appointment of Amit Shah as BJP's president, Verma said it would be the first time that the head of a national political party would be "a person facing murder charges".
"It is being wrongly said that Amit Shah helped the BJP post a resounding victory in the state... everyone is aware how the people here were disenchanted with the ruling SP government. Corruption, casteism and dismal law and order...these were the reasons of BJP's win," Verma said.
