Imphal: Irengbam Hemochandra, a former minister and one of the most prominent faces of the Congress party, tendered his resignation from the party’s primary membership three weeks ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha election on Sunday.
Hemochandra’s resignation comes as a jolt to the Congress party whose family’s association with it dates back to decades as his father, Irengbam Tompok, too served as Deputy Chief Minister under Rishang Keishing in the 1990s.
The five-time MLA from Singjamei Assembly constituency served as Minister under the Ibobi Singh-led government and he was also the youngest Speaker in the history of Manipur Assembly.
His resignation also comes at a time when the grand old party was facing a daunting task as most of its legislators have shifted to the ruling BJP over the last few years. It currently has only five MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
“With a heavy heart, I have taken this decision… to quit the party. The Congress is no longer a party with any relevance in the country, particularly in my state, Manipur. It’s a sinking ship. Completely radar-less, completely without vision and any purpose,” Hemochandra told newsmen while announcing his resignation from the party here.
While refusing to comment on reasons why he quit the party, the former minister said that there’s no room for talent and growth in the Congress.
He said he had been a loyal warrior for the party for decades but when it comes to matters, the party leadership has always changed their mind, citing bringing in a ‘professor’ for the upcoming election. The same thing happened during the 2019 Lok Sabha election when a former Chief Secretary was allowed to contest the election overlooking the sentiment and concerns of party workers and leaders, he continued.
