Congress sans Sushmita tried to project an image of unity, Ansar breaks rhythm
সুস্মিতা-মুক্ত কংগ্রেস ভবনে কর্মীদের উচ্ছ্বাস, তাল কাটলেন আনসার

Aug. 17: The resignation of former Silchar MP & President of All India Mahila Congress, Sushmita Dev was indeed a bolt from the blue for the party. As she stepped into the corridors of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on 16 August, Silchar District Congress Committee (DCC) convened an emergent meeting on 17 August. Rahul Alam Laskar, General Secretary (Admn) of Silchar District Congress Committee (DCC) issued a notice wherein it was stated that an emergent meeting of Silchar DCC will be held at 12.30 PM on 17 August at Indira Bhawan. However, interestingly, when the meeting began, it was surprising to find that Rahul Alam Laskar himself was not present in this important meeting, where discussion was supposed to be held to lift Congress from the gorge following the resignation of Sushmita Dev.

The high voltage meeting of Silchar DCC was attended by Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Working President of APCC, MLA’s, Ex-MLA’s, office bearers of Silchar DCC, President and General Secretary of Block Congress Committees, heads of frontal wings/ cells/ departments. After a long time, such a huge gathering was discerned in the Congress Office. Borkhola MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar, former minister Ajit Singh, Congress veteran and former Rajya Sabha MP Kamalendu Bhattacharjee, DCC President Pradip Kr Dey, Arun Dutta Mazumder, Kishore Bhattacharjee, former Municipal Chairman Tamal Kanti Banik, Sanchita Acharjee, Atanu Bhattacharjee, Sajal Acahrjee, Sanjib Roy along with others sat on the dias.

In his speech, North Karimganj legislator Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha spoke about the necessity of presenting a picture of unity at this hour. He said, “None is indispensable for the party. Many have come and gone, but the party remains and marches ahead with the combination of old and the new. A party rises not by the activities of any single leader but due to the support and activities of all. I am proud to be a Congress worker.” He further said, “Those who know how to fight against the odds and give the party a new lease of life is a true leader. A person who after losing the Lok Sabha election leaves the party and goes to a new camp is not a fighter but a coward.” It was clearly an indication to Sushmita Dev who shifted her allegiance to TMC.

Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha further said that Congress will give a befitting reply to all in the forthcoming days. He tried to infuse a new lease of life among the party workers present in the meeting. He concluded with slogans- “Congress Jindabad” and “Vande Mataram.” However, things assumed an ugly turn just after the speech of Kamalakhya. The house witnessed utter chaos and disorder as a bitter verbal duel broke out between some of the party cadres.

Questions were raised by some regarding the absence of many of the office bearers of the Congress. That was enough to ignite a spark which led to alteration of words between the party workers. Meanwhile, situation became much more worst when a few raised “Sushmita Dev Murdabad” slogans. Ansar Hussain Barlaskar, a suspended Congress party-man demanded a reply from the leaders on the dias as regards actions which would be taken against those who skipped the party meeting. Ajit Singh and Sanjib Roy tried to calm Ansar which further infuriated him. Finally, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha intervened and assured that explanation will definitely be sought from those who were absent.

Also Read: 34 Congress leaders skip vital meeting of Silchar DCC, tenders resignation