Will Cong remain a party crowding around a family: Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today raised questions over the leadership issue in Congress, wondering whether it will remain a party "crowding around a family".
"Congress has to decide what is its journey ahead. Will it remain a dynastic democracy or will there be merit-based leadership?
"No political party can survive in such a big country by crowding around a family. They have to decide whether they want to be a structured political party or a party crowding around a family," Jaitley said at a conclave of TV newschannel News24.
In a separate interaction at the conclave, AICC general secretary Digvijiay Singh targetted Jaitley over his remarks wondering whether it is the senior BJP leader who will decide who will become the President of Congress.

"Will Jaitley decide who will become Congress President? Is any body prevented from contesting when the election for Congress President happens? Jitendra Prasad had fought the election for party chief against Soniaji.
"Orgnaisational elections are going to happen in Congress. If there are some leaders in contact with Jaitleyji, he should tell them to fight the election," Singh said.

Prasad had fought Congress Party's presidential election against Sonia Gandhi on 9 November 2000 and was defeated.
On whether Priyanka Gandhi should be brought to revive Congress and whether she is assuming any such role, he said "Priyankaji has an unprecedented charishma. She has a style. She is articulate. She has resemblance with Indiraji. If she comes, we will welcome."

(Reopens DEL61)
Earlier speaking on GST BILL issue, Jaitley said the government will make all attempts to take Congress onboard but if it does not happen, it would prefer a vote in Parliament on the issue in the next session of Parliament.
He also claimed that all the friends of Congress including Left, JD(U), SP, RJD, BSP and Trinamool Congress are in support of GST.
"All Congress Chief Ministers back GST. 100 per cent Congress-ruled states are with us and not their central leadership on GST. The stand of Congress central leadership on the issue is political," the Finance Minister said.