Congress will bring change, work for youngsters’ aspirations—Supongmeren Jamir

KOHIMA — Hitting out at Nagaland government for failing to deliver on the aspirations of the people, especially the youth, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president, S Supongmeren Jamir, on Saturday asserted that the Congress party is determined to bring change and address issues that the present government has neglected.

Jamir was addressing the NPCC Mass Joining Programme of the Kohima District Congress Committee (DCC), held at Congress Bhavan in Kohima.

The MP observed that although the people had elected 60 legislators, they had failed to live up to public expectations. If they cannot do it now, they will not be able to do it even in the next tenure, he said, while urging the people to act rather than merely talk about building the Nagaland they aspire to.

Jamir maintained that Congress remains committed to the welfare of the people and described the induction of new members as a positive step.

Calling for mutual respect between seniors and youngsters within the party, he said that the joining of 220 members reflected the collective desire for good governance, quality educational institutions, medical colleges, and employment opportunities.

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He stressed that the Congress had “felt the pulse and aspirations of the young people,” and would work to turn those aspirations into reality.

On elections, Jamir underlined that every vote matters regardless of age, and that it has the power to transform aspirations into action. He also accused the BJP-led central government of manipulating voter lists, alleging that multiple entries for single individuals were being exposed in several states.

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Jamir further urged citizens to choose the right candidate who can genuinely represent the people’s voice. The Congress stands for the people, especially the youngsters, and will bring the change they seek, he said.

Meanwhile, NPCC working president Khriedi Theünuo, in his address, welcomed the new members to the party. He reminded the gathering that the Congress, as the oldest political party in India, had fought for the country’s independence and played a pivotal role in securing Article 371(A) of the Constitution, granting special status to Nagaland.

He said that the party had contributed significantly to the state’s development, but criticised the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for signing both the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position without producing tangible results. “How can there be two agreements?” he questioned.

Theünuo stressed that strong and united leadership with an undisputed mandate was crucial to bring peace and unity in Nagaland. He asserted that Congress embodies secular values and warned that Nagaland, being a Christian-majority state, would be at risk if BJP’s “Hindutva imposition” prevailed.

Read more: MP Supongmeren Jamir raises key development issues with Union ministers

Advising the new members to understand the party’s principles and ideologies rather than joining for personal gain, Theünuo expressed optimism that Kohima had set a good precedent for other districts. He said that despite being in opposition for 22 years, the recent developments had given new hope to the Congress in Nagaland.

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remark that “those who speak English will be shamed,” Theünuo termed it an insult to Nagas. He said English is a universal language and voiced concern that the BJP government might once again impose restrictions in the country.

He reiterated that the induction of new members was a hopeful sign for the upcoming elections and called upon them to expand the party base further.

Theünuo also informed that during NPCC leaders’ recent meeting with senior Congress leaders in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi expressed willingness to visit Nagaland soon, along with Priyanka Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.

NPCC secretary KV Vizo later announced that 220 individuals from various constituencies under Kohima district had officially joined the party.