Speaking to news agency ANI after his resignation, Ashwani Kumar said, "It was a painful decision. I thought long and hard and realised the way the internal processes of Congress are in place today, I couldn't continue any longer consistent with my dignity and self-esteem. I thought my shoulders weren't strong enough to carry weight of indifference."

He added, "Congress is not the party that it was. We don't have a transformative and inspiring leadership to lead the party. I have neither quit politics nor public service, I'll continue to discharge my obligations to the nation."