SHILLONG: MP Rajya Sabha Wansuk Syiem said the Congress needs veterans like former Congressman, DD Lapang and maintained that politicians never retire.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Saturday, she said, “The Party should have given him some assignment. Politicians never retire and we need veteran leaders like him, to steer the Party”
Ms Syiem said it was a heart-breaking moment for her to hear of senior party leader Lapang’s resignation as she felt it was a huge loss for the Party even as she recollected the days when they worked together for the Party.
She said, “It is a heartbreaking moment for me. I have been working together with him for the last 40 years. He is my mentor. Nobody knows what has happened.”
Asked on what made Lapang take the final step to resign from the Congress after long years of associating with India’s Grand Old Party, Syiem said, “He did not say anything to anyone. There must have been something that broke his heart and pushed him to take this drastic step. I know he ‘lives and breathes Congress’ and has Congress blood in him.”
As for the future of the Congress Party in the State, Syiem said it is up to the leaders in the Party- young and old, to reach out to the people and talk to them and highlight the Party’s achievements.
Lapang who served the party for 40 years sent his resignation letter to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Thursday night for sidelining him and other senior leaders.
It is reported that he refused to withdraw his resignation on Friday despite requests from senior party members, including AICC president Rahul Gandhi.
