Congress leader Rajiv Shukla opposes Karti Chidambaram's 'high command culture in Congress' remark

Congress leader Rajiv Shukla on Friday opposed former finance minister P. Chidambaram's son Karti's comment stating that there is 'high-command culture' in his party.

"I do not agree with him, there is no high command culture within Congress. All the party workers express their views, and the decision is taken by the high command after taking into consideration all the opinions," said Shukla.

"If he had to say this, why didn't he say this 10 years ago?" Shukla added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Karti had candidly admitted that Tamil Nadu strongman G. K. Vasan's departure from the party is a blow for the Congress.

"One must think through the reasons as to why Mr. Vasan has broken away, if you start a small sub regional party, you become ideologically neutral, if you are in the national party; your alliance options are limited," Karti had said.

"So, I somehow have a sneaking suspension that one of the reasons he has broken away while he might have some grouses against how the Congress functions. I think one of the main reasons is that he probably is contemplating an alliance with the BJP down the line," he added.

In an interview to a private news channel, Karti had said "The Tamil Nadu unit must have a fair amount of autonomy in functioning. We must re-think this high-command observer culture."

He had also expressed the need for Congress' state unit to act and react more swiftly and added that they haven't been able to do so.