Former Minister I Hemochandra quits Cong
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 31 2024:
Former Minister Irengbam Hemochandra has ditched the Indian National Congress (INC) after more than 30 years with the party.
Elected five times on Congress tickets from Singjamei Assembly Constituency, Irengbam Hemochandra had also held the post of Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly.
He tendered his resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and all other posts to the president, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today.
The letter of resignation, he submitted to the MPCC president, said he has complete lack of faith and confidence with the INC.
Notably, this development came as Congress has fielded JNU Professor Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a fresh face as its candidate for Lok Sabha elections in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
Announcing his resignation from the party to the media at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, Hemochandra said the decision to leave the INC was taken with a heavy heart.
Hemochandra said he had been with the INC from a very young age and had been a loyal member for more than thirty years.
"INC today is no longer a party with any relevance to the country, particularly to the State of Manipur.
INC is a sinking ship which is completely without any vision, without any purpose.
The party is not going to serve good for the people of the country and the State of Manipur," Hemochandra said.
He claimed there is no room in the Congress party for talents and for growth.
"There are many persons with talents and prominent leaders in the INC who have contributed to the party for a very long time and have desire to contest the Lok Sabha elections.
"However, the party has given the ticket to a person who is not even a primary member or related to the INC in the past,", Hemochandra said.
The former Minister said he left the party to "speak freely" which he "couldn't do within the party".
He, however, said there is no plan to join any other party, but will remain engaged politically.
Commenting on the issues that are plaguing the State since May 3 last year, Hemochandra said all political parties shouldn't engage in blame games.
All the political parties should work together cutting across party lines for restoration of normalcy, he added.
Meanwhile, BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesman M Asnikumar has remarked that the resignation of veteran Congressman Irengbam Hemochandra doesn't come as a shock.
His departure is yet another indication of the Congress party's decline.
His decision to leave at this critical juncture reflects lack of confidence in the party's leadership, policies, and work environment�a sentiment echoed by many within the party, Asnikumar said.
It also highlights the absence of opportunities for merit within its ranks.
With several prominent leaders having already departed, it wouldn't be unexpected for more to follow suit soon, he added.
On the other hand, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra has asserted that the resignation of Irengbam Hemochandra from Congress party has nothing to do with the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
Meghachandra maintained that Hemochandra left the party for personal reasons.
Hemochandra expressed his intention to contest the Lok Sabha elections but he backed off later, Meghachandra said.
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