SILCHAR: Jitendra Singh, AICC general secretary and in charge Assam, who was in Barak Valley, addressing workers' meets at Hailakandi, Karimganj and Silchar during his two day round trip that concluded on Sunday, tried to boost up the sagging morale of the leaders and activists of the party which has to remain content with the single seat of Badarpur in 2016. Gauging the mood and reactions of the workers and their mentors at the crowded meets, Jitendra Singh expressed his confidence and hope that Congress would definitely make a comeback by winning maximum seats in 2021.
Lot of confusion persisted among the workers about the much talked and discussed tie up with AIUDF which if happens would leave no seat for Congress in all the three seats of Hailakandi now held by BadaruddinAjmal's party, Jitendra Singh clarified "This is yet to be finalised. Our High Command will have the final call after receiving feedbacks from the party leadership of Assam." In BTC polls, he added the tie up was given final touch, considering the political expediency and primarily to block BJP from taking control of the reins of power of the Council.
The gratifying feeling of Congress top leader emerged to see not only the largely attended meets at all places, but also from the lot of zeal and enthusiasm among the workers which naturally buoyed up the sulking local leaders of the party. Their exposition and face to face interactions with Jitendra Singh did bring a ray of hope among the leaders and workers to strengthen the organisation from the booth level across the 15 assembly seats of the valley. It was no doubt difficult but not beyond their willpower and dedication to make the party stronger enough to face the challenge of BJP, the dominant force in the valley. The AICC general secretary hit the nail right to carry the message well.
Jitendra Singh cautioned about the misuse of social media, video and audio clips, by opposition, undermining the Congress calling it 'a creeper to hang on others' for revival and survival, citing instances of resting on the back of RJD in Bihar that ultimately caused its debacle. Workers want Congress to stand and fight on its own strength. The High Command and the decision making body of the party have to take note of the grass root feedback, a signal that the workers' meets gave. Many more questions were lobbed to which Jitendra Singh had to give assurances, looking at the very positive reactions of workers.
Leaders of clean image and mass acceptance would be considered for candidatures of the assembly seats and that nominations are to be given on the basis of grass root level survey. Moreover, poll manifesto will be released at an appropriate time to enable the leaders and workers to jump into campaign blitzkrieg to beat the adversaries on their turfs. Others leaders who addressed the workers included SushmitaDev, ex MP and All India Congress MahilaMorcha president, Rani Narah MP (RS) and GajendraUpamanyu.