
Inside story of Congress's 'Gayab' debacle: How a tweet sparked row in party
When the cartoon went viral, the Congress's post drew sharp criticism online and discomfort within the party, with many calling it distasteful. Despite internal unease, the Congress's social media team defended the post through unofficial handles.
According to sources, social media head Supriya Shrinate refused to delete it even after senior leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera urged her to reconsider. It was only after Rahul Gandhi, during a visit to Raebareli, intervened personally that the post was finally taken down.REPEAT OFFENDERadvertisementThe Congress's social media department has previously courted controversy. During the 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra, it posted an image of burning brown shorts targeting the RSS. In another case, it misquoted veteran leader Sonia Gandhi during the Karnataka elections, attributing the word "sovereignty" to her, prompting attacks from the BJP.Shrinate was also at the centre of another row when her Instagram handle posted a comment mocking actor-politician Kangana Ranaut's candidacy in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi. Shrinate later claimed she wasn't behind the post.PARTY WARY OF REPEATED GAFFESFollowing the recent 'Gayab' controversy, the Congress issued a rare warning that included its social media wing. A letter from KC Venugopal directed all leaders and official handles to strictly adhere to the party line and avoid off-the-cuff remarks, calling any deviation a breach of discipline."The Congress has long struggled with leaders chasing publicity, but such missteps on social media magnify the damage," said a senior party leader. With the nation in mourning, Congress finds itself in damage-control mode - again.

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