Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], August 26 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Friday took a dig at Ghulam Nabi Azad over his resignation from the party and his allegations against Rahul Gandhi and said "no one expected he would write such a letter".

"I read the statement of Azad, he has been my friend for over 42 years, I am deeply hurt, and I have no words to express what I feel about his resignation letter. The party gave him opportunities, be it Indira Gandhi or Sanjay Gandhi. He served at many positions in the party be it being MP from Maharashtra twice, five-six times Rajya Sabha member. Congress left no dearth in giving him opportunities. Whatever identity we have in the country, it is because of Congress and the faith of high command has on us. Only a few get a chance and not everyone. It is a challenge before the high command to select. No one expected he would write such a letter," Gehlot said.

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"Congress gave him everything. Today, he is a known leader because of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi," he added.

On Azad's allegations in his resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot said they were also called sycophants during Sanjay Gandhi's time.

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"Today they are calling others sycophants. But Sanjay Gandhi did not care and that's why Azad became a so big leader. If Sanjay Gandhi had removed them in pressure as they are expecting from Rahul Gandhi, then nobody in the country would know the name of Azad."

Another Congress leader BK Hariprasad said that Azad should not have left the party at a critical juncture.

"Man like him should not have a left party at this crucial junction. This shows he is unwilling to fight back. Blaming Rahul Gandhi is not right. He wanted to be in power. Loss only for Azad, not for Congress," Hariprasad said. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)