Congress issues show cause notice Alok Sharma over ‘BJP link’ remarks against Kamal Nath

In the notice, the AICC has described the statement of Sharma as “unauthorised, baseless, derogatory and a despicable attempt to weaken the party and its leadership.”

The AICC, in its notice, gave two days to Sharma to give a reply to the notice and added that appropriate action will be taken against him in case the clarification is not received or is unsatisfactory.

The comments in question were made by Sharma in an interview to a news channel recently where he said that Nath giving an interview during the MP election campaign to a journalist, who featured in a “blacklist” of journalists who would be boycotted by the INDIA alliance was unfortunate and “the whole Congress had objected to this.” “…Looking at Kamal Nath’s activities for five years raises doubts whether he was having an understanding with the BJP. Is it the case that he never wanted the government (in MP) to be formed? It is the mistake of our senior leaders that they did not identify this person. There should have been a full assessment of why the (MP) government fell (in 2020). After that, in the ticket distribution, this person showed so much arrogance. The arrogance of one person spoiled the entire election atmosphere. It is very unfortunate,” Sharma had said in the interview.

“As directed by general secretary (Communication), you (Alok Sharma) are hereby being put to notice regarding your statements made, while serving as a National Media Panellist, on prime-time news debates.The statements, coming from a senior office bearer such as yourself are not only unauthorised, baseless and defamatory but also demonstrate an attempt to undermine the party and your senior colleagues,” the Congress notice said.

“Being a member of the Indian National Congress, you are aware that the party discipline is sacrosanct and any violation the same has severe consequences. Hence, you (Sharma) are hereby put to notice and given two days from the receipt of this notice to provide your clarification on your statements,” the notice added.

“In case the clarification is not received or is unsatisfactory, then appropriate action shall be initiated against you,” it further said.