Overview
- The former Union minister said an effective national opposition is not possible without the Congress, which he argued has lost ground and has a national obligation to revive itself.
- He urged the party to look inward rather than blame rivals, saying its messaging has faltered, while describing Rahul Gandhi as an idealist who speaks for the poor.
- On "vote chori" and EVM allegations, he said concerns merit consideration but warned that parties lose moral credibility if they accept victories from EVM-based contests and dispute defeats.
- Kumar praised Sonia Gandhi for maintaining civility in public life and credited her choice of Manmohan Singh as prime minister, while adding that it is wrong to assume the current prime minister is always at fault.
- His remarks came at the New Delhi launch of his book Guardians of the Republic, released by Justice Madan Lokur and former foreign secretary Shyam Saran with senior dignitaries in attendance.