AICC Secretary in-charge of Nagaland, Christopher Tilak, MP Supongmeren Jamir and other Congress leaders during a press conference held at Congress Bhavan, Kohima on September 17. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | September 17
On his first visit to the State, Christopher Tilak, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary in-charge of Nagaland appreciated the initiative of the State Government for constituting the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) but called for transparency in the political dialogue. The party is also part of the PAC.
Emphasising on the need for transparency in the political dialogue, he stated that the copies of the agreements must be provided to the PAC members, and also to the civil society.
This would enable all the participants to be clear of what they are speaking about, he maintained.
“But what I find at present is that, the last couple of PAC meetings has happened without the copy of the agreement,” maintained Tilak, addressing a press conference here today at Congress Bhavan.
With the PAC wanting to expand their inputs inclusive of all civil society, he viewed that copies of the agreements must be in the public domain ‘so that we have a much more enlightened and empowered discussions.”
“Rather than only looking for an empowered interlocutor, we should make sure that the participants are also empowered and enlightened with the actual agreement copy,” he added.
Understanding the key issues, Tilak emphasised on formulating a robust strategy for the Congress party in the next couple of years, keeping the 2028 assembly elections in mind.
He also acknowledged the impact of the 2024 Parliamentary election results in Nagaland, where Congress secured a Member of Parliament despite not having any sitting MLAs and described the outcome as a “very big boost” for the party.
The Secretary in-charge also viewed the result as an indication that the people of Nagaland are seeking positive change and resonate with Congress’s ideologies, the way it handle issues, and on its democratic, and consultative approach to governance involving people in most decisions whatever might be the gravity of the issue.
Congress planning roadmap
Consequently, he was hopeful and positive that coming months, the party will come with a proper ‘strategy and roadmap’ and start hitting the roads at the district level and assembly level.
“Peaceful state is very essential for development,” Tilak noted, adding that although there might be perceptions of some delay in Congress's functioning, he stressed that “the solution which Congress has always come out has been permanent solutions.”
While observing that the country as a whole has been experiencing economic growth, he also noted that many states struggle to keep pace, including Nagaland.
To this end, he raised concerns on unemployment and youth migrating owing to inadequate economic opportunities, which affects social stability.
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and President NPCC, S Supongmeren Jamir meanwhile raised concerns on the vacancy of seats in Sainik School Punglwa.
Out of 120 allotted seats for Nagaland, he informed that only 80 are currently occupied, which has impacted the administration of the school.
To this end, he urged citizens to take advantage of the available seats in the next academic session, lest the Government of India changes the policies if the vacancies are left unoccupied.
Following his tour of the district, Jamir urged the State Government to give ‘special consideration’ in terms of facilities and conveyance to the district head of departments, who reach out to the grassroots in the remote areas.
Many a times, he observed, district officers face challenges due to lack of facilities.
Meanwhile, Tilak announced in the next couple of weeks, the party will be undertaking district level tours, starting with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) areas, and will interact with all civil society in the six districts, and also try to find out how it can take its outreach programmes effectively in every districts.
