Congress sacks content editor of Mumbai mouthpiece that criticised Nehru, Sonia

Even as the Congress marks its 131st Foundation Day today, the party has been in a fix over an article published in the party's Mumbai unit mouthpiece Congress Darshan. The article squarely takes potshots at not just party chief Sonia Gandhi, but also blames Jawaharlal Nehru for the current state of affairs in Kashmir and India's ties with China and Tibet. Later in the day, the content editor of the magazine, Sudhir Joshi, was sacked from the magazine.

The article, written without a byline, has been published in this month's issue of the magazine as a tribute to mark Sardar Patel's death anniversary on December 15. The article states that Nehru should have listened to former home minister Vallabhbhai Patel on international affairs.

The article adds that the relationship between the two leaders was strained and that if Nehru had embraced Patel's foresight, many problems in international affairs would not have arisen.

"Despite Patel getting the post of deputy prime minister and home minister, the relations between the two leaders remained strained, and both had threatened to resign time and again," the article says.

The article cites a letter that Patel reportedly wrote in 1950 to caution Nehru against China's policy towards Tibet and where "Patel described China as unfaithful, and a future enemy of India."

"Had Patel been heard (by Nehru) then, the problems of Kashmir, China, Tibet and Nepal wouldn't have existed now. Patel opposed Nehru's move of taking the Kashmir issue to the UNO," stated the article, adding, "Nehru did not agree with Patel's views on Nepal."

Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief and editor of the journal Sanjay Nirupam said he is not involved in the day-to-day functioning of the magazine and was unaware of the article.

"I do not agree with the article. It seems to have been sourced, but I don't know who the writer is," Nirupam, who in his earlier stint with Shiv Sena edited Hindi newspaper 'Dopahar Ka Saamana', said, adding that corrective measures would be taken.

He further said, "Some words that have been used in some articles of Congress Darshan are certainly objectionable, I accept the mistake. Action will be taken against people in editorial team who are responsible for this mistake."

Speaking about it, Jitendra Singh, MoS, PMO said, "A well known fact that Sardar Patel as HM ws dealing with princely states but then PM Pt.Nehru believed he knew J&K better and therefore he kept it to himself, and it had been pointed out to him even at that time."