You have to be spineless to be in Congress: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi is the primary reason why he and many others are not in the Congress today and claimed that one has to be "spineless" to remain in the grand old party.

He further claimed that it is not in the hands of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi or even Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to ensure his return in the party fold even if they wanted.

He asserted "it was too late" for him to do so even if Rahul Gandhi sought his return.

The veteran leader, who has since floated the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, said no one is "untouchable" in politics today and he could go with any party to form a government as he did not rule out going with the BJP, to be a part of a government in Jammu and Kashmir if both win once elections are held there.

Azad also noted that had Rahul Gandhi not torn the ordinance brought out by the UPA government in 2013 he would not have been disqualified today and described the then Union Cabinet as "weak" by not going ahead despite Gandhi tearing the ordinance.

Speaking about his new book "Azaad: An Autobiography", which was released by former union minister and Sadr-i-Riyasat of the state of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Karan Singh, he said he continues to remain "2000 percent more Congressi" than those leaders who work through Twitter.

The former Congress stalwart, who has worked with four Congress prime ministers and remained party general secretary for almost every state, quit the party last year over differences with the leadership.

Asked if Rahul Gandhi is the reason why he is not in the Congress, Azad said, "Yes. Not me alone, but at least a few dozen more - both young and old leaders." "Once you are in the Congress, you are spineless," he observed, adding that "you have to get operated".

Azad also said leaders should not be forced when top leadership is going to appear before any probe agency, like it is done now. He cited the example of former prime ministers when leaders went along with them voluntarily when they appeared before any Commission of Inquiry or probe agency and no whip was issued, unlike today.

"I don't mind if anyone goes to Surat along with Rahul Gandhi, but you cannot force the leaders to come. But today, a whip is issued, which should not be done forcing everyone to accompany... There are a lot of orthopedics today," he said while elaborating his "spineless" remark.

Azad also took a dig at some Congress leadership running the show in the party today saying, "I am 2000 percent more Congressi than those who run (politics) on Twitter. I am 24-Carat Congress by conviction, they are not even 18 Carat." On whether he would like to rejoin the party, he said, "But, they don't want people like us. They want those who are fast on Twitter and are claiming that after Bharat Jodo Yatra the party will get 500 seats." He said he was angry at those leaders who are "destroying" the party today.