New Delhi: On Monday, Twitter was abuzz with reactions to the latest developments in the Congress party — Sonia Gandhi’s offer to step down as interim president and a letter by at least 23 party leaders demanding a leadership overhaul.
Tempers seemingly ran high in the Congress high command, if the clarifications on Twitter were anything to go by.
Was informed by Rahul Gandhi personally that he never said what was attributed to him .
I therefore withdraw my tweet .
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) August 24, 2020
The toss-up between Sonia and Rahul for party chief surfaced again.
सोनिया जी का नेतृत्व सर्व मान्य है। यदि सोनिया जी कॉंग्रेस अध्यक्ष का पद छोड़ना ही चाहती हैं तो राहुल जी को अपनी ज़िद छोड़ कर अध्यक्ष का पद स्वीकार कर लेना चाहिए। देश का आम कॉंग्रेस कार्यकर्ता और किसी को स्वीकार नहीं करेगा।२/२
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) August 23, 2020
However, it’s unclear if the Congress agrees on what the “greater good” for the party is.
Mrs Gandhi and Rahul ji have shown what it means to sacrifice for the greater good of the people and the party.Its now time to build consensus and consolidate.
Our future is stronger when we’re united. Most Congress workers would like to see Rahul ji take over and lead the party— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 23, 2020
It’s also hard to tell who the ‘fake’ and ‘real’ supporters are. But trust the sacked Congress spokesperson to know best.
The real Congress supporters have spoken up.
The fakes are busy using hashtags to trend.
Get a life, losers!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) August 23, 2020
People tracking the news coming out of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting had a pick of ‘live updates’ to choose from. Congress leader Saral Patel came up with a creative answer to the minutes of the CWC proceedings getting leaked.
Let's hold a next CWC meeting at Ramlila Maidan so no one is left out. 🎉
— 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥 (@SaralPatel) August 24, 2020
Meanwhile, tributes poured in to mark the first death anniversary of BJP leader and former Union minister Arun Jaitley.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah said they missed their old friend and comrade.
On this day, last year, we lost Shri Arun Jaitley Ji. I miss my friend a lot.
Arun Ji diligently served India. His wit, intellect, legal acumen and warm personality were legendary.
Here is what I had said during a prayer meeting in his memory. https://t.co/oTcSeyssRk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2020
Remembering Arun Jaitley ji, an outstanding politician, prolific orator and a great human being who had no parallels in Indian polity. He was multifaceted and a friend of friends, who will always be remembered for his towering legacy, transformative vision and devotion to nation.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 24, 2020
The former Union minister’s son Rohan also paid his tributes.
It’s been a year since you left us, dad @arunjaitley. In many ways, it feels like it was just yesterday. The pain is still as fresh. But so is my resolve to live by your values, principles and vision. You are always with us. So missed, so loved. #ArunJaitley @BJP4India @BJP4Delhi pic.twitter.com/AxKzqgLYCI
— Rohan Jaitley (@rohanjaitley) August 24, 2020
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also remembered the late BJP leader who had held the defence and finance portfolios.
#RememberingArunJaitley https://t.co/Hpd9L1bvP2
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 24, 2020
Then, there was Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera who reminded people about the migrant exodus in response to the video of Modi feeding peacocks…
वाह मोदी जी वाह!
लाखों प्रवासी मज़दूरों को सड़कों पर भूखे पेट पैदल चलने और मरने के लिए छोड़ने वाले प्रधानमंत्री पक्षियों को दाना डालते हुए अपना फोटोशूट करवा रहे हैं। जब नेता इतना ‘आत्ममुग्ध’ हो, तो जनता के पास ‘आत्मनिर्भर’ बनने के सिवा कोई विकल्प भी नहीं है। https://t.co/yPZXMp4qN0— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) August 23, 2020
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri though pointed out this was the “nation’s leader” with the “national bird”.
Nation's leader with the national bird.
Magnificent, colourful & grand – a peacock is an amazingly beautiful creation of God.
PM @narendramodi Ji's video is an example of how we can peacefully coexist with every living being. https://t.co/G5jMFuIZqQ
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 23, 2020
Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav also shared he felt sad about actor Kangana Ranaut’s tweet. Here’s why:
Sad to see a talented actor @KanganaTeam peddle uninformed prejudices about reservations. Since she is so concerned about merit, I would have expected her to speak against rampant practice of capitation fee in admission to all these courses. Who benefits from that? https://t.co/Ve0HqjAMDp
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) August 24, 2020
On the Bloomsbury India-‘Delhi Riots 2020’ book controversy, it appeared to prove that all publicity is good publicity.
Server Crash. Heard @GarudaPrakashan sold 10,000 Copies in 1 Hour #1order1Slap https://t.co/Htq6GYSKoe
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) August 23, 2020
While Indian Twitter was buzzing about Bloomsbury India, actor Shah Rukh Khan wished everyone on ‘Ganesh Visarjan’.
Prayers and visarjan done… This #GaneshChaturthi, may Lord Ganesha bestow upon you and your loved ones, blessings and happiness… Ganpati Bappa Morya! pic.twitter.com/cSA7ABC9nf
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 23, 2020
And US President Donald Trump gave himself some good news.
Actually, I think I’m leading in the Polls! @FoxNews @OANN
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2020