Ashwani Kumar quits Congress, calls his decision 'consistent with dignity'
In 2020, his book 'Human Dignity - A purpose in perpetuity, was released by former PM Manmohan Singh. Ashwani Kumar was Law Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government between 2009 and 2014.
New Delhi: Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar on Tuesday ended his four decades-long association with the Congress party, calling it a decision that was "consistent with my dignity".
In his resignation letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, shared by news agencies, Dr Kumar wrote, "Having given my thoughtful consideration to the matter, I have concluded that in the present circumstances and consistent with my dignity, I can best subserve larger national cause outside the party fold."
He also said he "hoped to proactively pursue public causes inspired by the idea of transformative leadership, based on the dignitarian promise of a liberal democracy envisioned by our freedom fighters."
My letter to, AICC President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi Ji pic.twitter.com/Ug8Ruxwkki
— Dr Ashwani Kumar (@DrAshwani_Kumar) February 15, 2022
In his first reaction to news agency ANI, Ashwani Kumar said, It was a painful decision. I thought long and hard and realised the way internal processes of Congress are in place today, I couldn't continue any longer consistent with my dignity and self-esteem. I thought my shoulders weren't strong enough to carry the weight of indifference".
In an interview to NDTV, he said, "I have not given it a thought. I have not met anyone in the BJP. There is no decision as yet. I may not even join any party," Ashwani Kumar said, adding that there's no hurry.
"I hope I am wrong but in the foreseeable future, I only see the Congress going downhill."
In 2020, his book 'Human Dignity - A purpose in perpetuity, was released by former PM Manmohan Singh. Ashwani Kumar was Law Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government between 2009 and 2014.
He served as Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha representing the state of Punjab. He formerly served as Union Minister of Law and Justice and Union Minister of State in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
His exit comes, weeks after the party lost RPN Singh, another former Union Minister and a big leader in Uttar Pradesh.
