New Delhi, February 24
While hinting that the Congress was planning action against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Najma Heptulla for her open criticism of the party leadership, the Congress today described her statements as nothing but opportunism.
Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal said Ms Heptulla had been cosying to the BJP for the past two years, stating that the party had virtually written her off when she received an award from RSS chief K.Sudarshan. The party was well aware of how she had been “hobnobbing” with the BJP, Mr Sibal said, adding that “we do not consider her part and parcel of the Congress.”
Ms Heptulla had told a news channel on Monday that she had been humiliated by the Congress leadership while stating that she respected and trusted Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
“If giving somebody a fourth term in the Rajya Sabha is a humiliation, then Ms. Heptulla needs to look up the meaning of the word,” Mr Sibal told reporters, stating that the timing of her remarks was significant as her Rajya Sabha term is ending soon and Ms Heptulla is looking for a renomination.
“A person who has benefitted from the Congress party for 24 years is now saying that she was humiliated by the party... this is the level of opportunism we are witnessing today,” he added.
While lashing out at her, the party did not indicate whether it would take immediate action. There is a view that instead of expelling her and making her a “martyr”, the party would wait for her to take the first step towards joining the BJP.
