I Hemochandra resigns from Congress party
"Congress has lost its relevance, nationally as well as in Manipur"
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 31 2024: In what could be a huge setback to the Congress party ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha election, former MLA and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) working president Irengbam Hemochandra has resigned from the Indian National Congress (INC).

Hemochandra was elected multiple times from Singjamei assembly constituency and had served as minister as well as speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly in the past.

I Hemochandra formally announced his resignation from the party in a packed press conference held Sunday at Manipur Press Club wherein he cited bleak future in the Congress as reason for dissociating with the party, which he likened to a sinking ship.

Addressing the media, the former minister contended that he had already submitted resignation paper to MPCC president K Meghachandra and a copy of the same to AICC president Malikarjun Kharge.

Acknowledging Congress as an established political entity which took active role in India's freedom movement, ruled in Manipur for several terms and even managed to win 40 seats as people believed in the party's ideology, he termed lamented that the Congress has lost its relevance, not just nationally but particularly in Manipur.

Accordingly, the party could win only five seats in the last assembly election, he reasoned adding that the party itself has to understand mistakes and errors.

According to I Hemochandra, Congress party has become a sinking ship, devoid of vision or purpose.

In the last Lok Sabha election, there were many qualified leaders who could be party's candidate but all such leaders were sidelined and the party surprisingly fielded a former chief secretary as candidate for Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency.

In similar manner, the party is fielding a professor as candidate for Inner Manipur seat this time too despite the party having qualified young leaders, he claimed adding that the party's decision reflects a lack of confidence in its own pool of capable individuals.

While clarifying that his decision to resign was not driven by aspirations for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Hemochandra said he is yet to take the decision on joining another party.

Expressing concern on the plight of the people in the ongoing violence; the former minister alleged that both the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress are infatuated with drawing political mileage even as people are suffering for more than 10 months.

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