"Salman Khurshid has already clarified his statements. So, there is no need for any further comment (from the party)," AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told PTI.
There is a perception in the party that in the course of a free-wheeling talk, the minister might have said many things which, reproduced in a different manner, gave the impression that he was saying the party was directionless.
Party leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, refused to accept the contention that the minister appeared critical of Rahul Gandhi.
A leader said there is no doubt that Rahul Gandhi is the future leader of the party and so talking of his larger role in the party and the government is not unnatural.
There is a also a view in Congress that the Law Minister might have attempted to suggest that Gandhi should play a larger role sooner than later but the message got "confused" some how.
A controversy broke out over Khurshid's reported comments to a newspaper that Rahul Gandhi is only playing a 'cameo role' and Congress is "directionless", prompting the Law Minister to clarify what he meant was that the young and new leadership should prepare to lead from the front.
"If the media is not understanding or willing to understand the import of what I said, then it is better that these things are discussed within the party forum. I never said that the party is directionless and if I am saying this, then I am blaming myself," Khurshid said.
Notwithstanding the clarification by Khurshid, his statement to the newspaper prompted BJP as well as SP, which is supporting the government from outside, to attack Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
