Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mocked the Congress over the party’s recent presidential elections, saying he expects people who voted for Shashi Tharoor to join the BJP shortly, ANI reported.
The Assam chief minister was reported saying, “the outcome of the Congress’ so-called internal elections was known and declared even before the counting of votes. The only democratic people in the Congress were the 1,000 delegates who showed the courage to vote for Shashi Tharoor. I expect them to join BJP soon.”
Tharoor, who was competing for the position with senior party colleague Mallikarjun Kharge, stated that only those lacking the courage to fight are tempted to join the BJP.
Kharge easily defeated Tharoor, becoming the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 24 years.
In the presidential election on October 17, Kharge received 7,897 votes to Tharoor’s 1,072 votes.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP responded to Sarma’s statement in a video, saying, those who show courage will never join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Only those who lack the courage to fight may be tempted to do so.
On October 19, Kharge was elected President of the Congress. Soon after his election triumph, Kharge stated that the party has provided an example of strengthening the country’s democracy by conducting organisational elections at a time when the country’s “democracy is under threat.”
In a press conference following his triumph, Kharge stated that Congress has “continuously enhanced democracy” and preserved the Constitution over the country’s 75-year existence.
Kharge also complimented Tharoor, adding they talked about how to move the party ahead. Tharoor had gone to Kharge’s house to congratulate him on his triumph.
