Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the inauguration of the Dr B R Ambedkar International Conference 2017 in Bengaluru on Friday. Pic/PTI

Good riddance to any crotchety old neta's departure from his party, whenever it happens. Recently Shankersinh Vaghela left the Congress party in Gujarat and it's doubly gladdening because of his double-facedness. The only reason he left his Hindutva home was opportunism, and the only reason Congressmen panic about his leaving is because of their bankruptcy of ideas. Why else would they rely on a double-crosser for 12-15 seats in north Gujarat in the Assembly election due this year-end? Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, however, hasn't exactly impressed anyone with battle-readiness for this poll. Vaghela's departure was a purge or house-cleaning, just the usual Congress factionalism and manipulation. The party was subdued. It should have asserted to voters that it will not be a B-team to the BJP - the impression that Vaghela gave.