Dr. SC Jamir speaking at the general session of NPCC in Kohima on June 7. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 7
The Congress’s miserable defeat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha in the country has been attributed to “infighting within the party and lack of strong leadership in the state.”
This observation was made through an analysis by party top leaders, said the grand old Congressman Dr SC Jamir. He maintained that “the greatest disease in Congress is infighting” and admitted that the Indian National Congress (INC), the oldest and grandest party is going through some trying times.
Speaking at the general session of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) here held at Congress Bhavan this morning, ex-chief minister and former governor, Dr.Jamir acknowledged the fact that its party has failed despite much effort, and added that it is terribly shocked on how the ‘Grand Old’ national party has been reduced to such a small minority in the house of 543 members.
“We have not been able to even form to be on the opposition” he added.
Despite the favourable projections, Dr Jamir was surprised on how Congress has landed into this position; however, he added that its defeat is a “fact and reality”. He reminded that it is not advisable to find faults with each other now.
Stating that Congress is lacking in strong state leadership in the country, Dr Jamir said in the absence of strong leadership, Congress has failed as it has not been able to garner the support of the people, and thereby failed to project the “image, identity and personality” of the Congress party.
Another factor, he pointed was the Congress had sold only one idea in the recent election, and when that was rejected, it had no other alternative and failed to garner the support of the people.
In the context of Nagaland, Dr Jamir observed that materialism has blindfolded the entire Naga population and there is an acute lack of political morality. Dr. Jamir maintained that in this kind of scenario Congress, as a political party has to formulate and envision a new vision for the people of Nagaland, rather than running away from the main problems.
To emerge as a leading political party in Nagaland, he asserted that the party needs to come out with new approach to Naga problems, economic problems, social transformation, rejuvenation and reorganization of educational system, which he added requires a deep study and research.
On the Naga political issue, he maintained that it is time that Congress party should stop “trying to be neutral.” Rather he said it should appreciate the political and social realities and clearly spell out its stand on the ongoing political dialogue.
To have a new progressive and enlighten beginning, Dr Jamir said “we should all put our minds to resolve this problem with the government of India to the satisfaction of all concerned.”
NPCC President K Therie while accepting the poll defeat stated that the party fought on issues which it believed must be protected and defended.
He however, was of the view that its failure could be the limited time, as NPF had made a late decision and felt that it couldn’t do enough justice. Therie asserted that though defeated, the party cannot compromise with communal nationalism.
