SHILLONG, Jan 17: The state unit of Congress on Tuesday mocked party men, who switched camps deserting their own party and are trying to project themselves as ‘clean’ for narrow political gains just before the upcoming assembly polls.
Congress further questioned the intention of those parties which are wooing its leaders and asserted that there should not be any question about the durability of the party which has weathered many odds and survived even in trying times.
“When turncoats were in the Congress, they were corrupt. The moment they joined the other party, they became saints…they took a dip in the paradise of BJP and now they are all saints,” said MPCC chief and Shillong MP Vincent H Pala.
The MPCC chief said the public is aware of everything and the election result will reveal the truth.
Replying to a query if Meghalaya Congress would meet the fate of the party unit in Assam after Himanta Biswa Sarma left the party in the lurch, Congress MP from Assam, Gaurav Gogoi rubbished such a possibility.
On a query if Mukul Sangma’s exit from the party fold would hurt the polls prospects, Gogoi said, “Congress party was not formed by these two individuals (Himanta and Mukul). The Congress existed much before they started their political careers and it will continue to thrive much after these two individuals’ political careers come to an end.”
He also said the Congress is unaffected by individual’s resignation.
“Some other parties that you have mentioned have gone to some other states with flashy advertisements and most of the candidates lost their deposits, most recently in the Goa elections. Let them try and waste some money here also. I come from a neighbouring state and I understand what their political fortune is going to be,” he added.
Talking about reviving the Congress in the state, he refused to divulge the strategy but said, “None can forget the rich history of the Congress party. People share a deep bond with the party. They remember the times of our former Prime Ministers, the times when stalwarts were alive and how they championed the cause of Meghalaya. Voters are silently watching what is happening in Meghalaya,” he added.
Stating that people are frustrated with a spate of scams, he said, “There were expectations which were never fulfilled. The government is mired in scams. The shooting that took place in Mawlai is an eye opener about how things are falling apart. There is incoherence about government’s report card. The people will punish this government and are going to vote the Congress.”
On money power, he said, “We just won Himachal Pradesh. The BJP thinks cash wins votes and the Congress thinks performance wins votes. We are confident about our performance in the polls,” he added.
