SHILLONG, SEPT 21: Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma today claimed that many “good” leaders will soon join the Congress even as he categorically rejected the allegation that the party is adopting a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.
“There will be many people who will be joining the party, many good leaders who matters for the state will be joining the party,” Sangma told reporters here on Friday.
The former chief minister was reacting to a query whether some more leaders of the Congress would leave the party following the recent exit of its most senior leader DD Lapang.
Disagree with the allegation that Lapang’s resignation was a setback to the party, Sangma said, “See people come and people go but the party will remain. Like after Moses, you have Joshua, similarly you will always have leaders as nobody is indispensable.”
Asked will it not affect the party’s performance in the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Congress, he said, “Party is above individuals so people will see and take a conscious decision and they will also be judging, analyse and draw their respective conclusions.”
“But in the whole political spectrum if you revisit the past, definitely there will be people who will have that personal rappo and personal relationship with such a senior leader as he had a long innings and see they remain align with a leader of that stature will always be there,” he added.
Lapang, a former five times chief minister, had alleged that he had decided to quit the Congress as a mark of protest against its policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.
Whether such allegation was just an excuse as Lapang already seen some kind of opportunity, Sangma however said only time will tell.
“You just wait for the time then you will see and then you will be able to interpret in your own way,” he added.
The Leader of Opposition informed that he had tried his best to prevail upon the senior leader not to reconsider his decision but the latter refused.
“When I sat with him for almost an hour I tried to persuade him in my own capacity because I personally feel that I had the privilege of working with him and we understand each other more than anybody else. I can also say that I am one of the few persons who know Lapang very well. I tried to prevail upon him but he was adamant and when he is adamant to any proposal then you should know what has happened,” he said.
To another query, Sangma said “You will find out in due course of time, not just NPP as they don’t work alone but I wish him (Lapang) all the best.”
Meanwhile, the former chief minister claimed that the Congress is in fact still in the process of looking at senior leaders who are available and who can be of immense help in strengthening the party.
“That (policy of phasing out) is not true, that is completely wrong and false as there are so many senior leaders who are actively engaged in the party’s collective endeavour as we have different committees,” he said adding “It’s a party and we do a little bit of auditing of our own people, leaders and based on this exercise we give certain responsibility for different leaders but it is not a one day exercise.”
Stating that the party is not sitting idle, Sangma said such exercise is on to look at senior leaders who are available and other leaders who probably are dormant and who can be of immense help in strengthening the party.
By Our Reporter
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