Fernandes disapproves shifting-party culture

Itanagar, Apr 14 (UNI) AICC General Secretary in-charge of North-East Affairs Oscar Fernandes has completely disapproved the shifting-party culture.

Mr Fernandes, who was here recently, to solve the leadership crisis in the ruling Congress government and witnessed the change of guard, was responding to mediapersons about the Congress culture, which off late was eroding in the region.

Of the eight NE states, Congress presently hold the fort in Arunachal Pradesh, Asom, Meghalaya and Manipur.

Admitting that whatever had happened in Meghalaya was only the reflection of the rights of the people to choose their leader in a democratic spirit, he said adding that changing party repeatedly was neither in the interest of the leaders nor the people.

''We as a party are responsible and have to work hard and train our leaders to follow the Congress ideologies in letter and spirit,'' he commented.

He said the party took a drubbing in Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Punjab assembly elections recently indicating the people's mood, for which the mandarins at the Congress headquarters had no satisfactory reply. However, as Congress has been gearing up to face the polls in many states, Mr Fernandes suggested introspection in the party was necessary.

Congress was the largest and oldest party in the country with invaluable contributions and its nationalist spirit was reflected in late Rajiv Gandhi's leadership, he mentioned.

UNI