Suspended from the Congress for anti-party activities late Tuesday night, its former national spokesperson, Sanjay Jha, stood his ground. He told mid-day that the party needed to walk the talk when they were criticising BJP for being authoritarian and fascist (a legitimate complaint) and they need to recognise that they cannot be accused of the same either.

"The Congress was a party that historically has been renowned for championing the democratic spirit in our institutions, and it is thus disappointing that when party members raise contentious issues and provide constructive criticism, the response has been curt and dismissive," Jha said, adding that the internal forums of debate, discussions and deliberations have vanished.