Chishi and Therie sets eye on reclaiming place in the electoral map
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 7
Nagaland Pradesh Congress President, K Therie claimed that the need for a ‘helpline’ for women did not occur in the 60-70 years of Congress rule. “It was so because the situation was better. But after the BJP took power, the condition of women has deteriorated. Women have become vulnerable,” Therie said during the official launch of the Congress’ special helpline for women— Support Team for Relief Emergency & Empowerment (STREE), in Nagaland.
The STREE toll free number— 1800-203-0589, was launched by the Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress (NPMC) at a programme held at the Congress Bhavan, Dimapur on October 7. NPMC President, N Lucy said that the helpline seeks to empower through the services it renders by helping women in distress. Any woman in Nagaland requiring help can get access to emergency assistance, including professional medical and legal aid, by dialing the number, she informed.
According to her, any distress call made to the helpline will be re-routed to volunteer Congress workers, set up especially for the purpose, who would then link up the aid-seeker with professionals.
Veteran state Congressman and former Chief Minister, KL Chishi was also in attendance. Chishi, who briefly joined the BJP in the lead up to the 2018 Assembly elections, said that the Congress does not have much footprint in Nagaland today, but can still reclaim its place. He regarded the “mahilas” (women) as brave hearts, who can build “a prosperous, corruption free Nagaland.”
According to him, the Congress is gradually gaining ground across the country and “as Congress men and women, we must stick to our principles and also realise why we are a member of the party even without a single MLA (in Nagaland).”
While the Congress has held the country together, on the other hand, he held that BJP is breaking up India through the RSS’ Hindutva policy.
Commenting on his electoral prospects in the 2023 Assembly polls, he said that “other” parties have approached him but he is committed to contesting as a Congress man from 32 Atoizu AC. Terming the Congress as the only party that upholds secularism, he said that he has no qualms with being the only MLA-in-opposition in the Assembly.
Therie, meanwhile, said that the party is targeting to contest in at least 40-45 seats with as many as 60-70 candidates seeking to contest under its banner. “We are not worried about funding. We will give them our manifesto. We will build sports complex, we will create jobs.” Nevertheless, he admitted to being apprehensive, despite wishing to contest, given the obligatory but unofficial requirement to have a large sum of money for contesting elections in Nagaland. If he does decide to contest, he estimated that he would require Rs 15-20cr at least.
He further said that if people want change, the village councils should stop the practice of declaring candidates of choice without giving due weightage to manifestos.
