Facing crisis of plenty in terms of highflying leaders the Congress has decided to give its workers also a say.
Unlike the earlier practices and when Jharkhand has been virtually put on poll track, the party — considered as with dwindling grass-root level presence —would kick-start a series of conferences in all the five divisions and also at sub-divisional levels in the coming days.
First of this kind of meet would take place in Palamau division comprising of three districts namely Palamau, Garhwa and latehar on June 9. Similar meetings in South and North Chottanagpur, Kolhan and Santhal Pargana would be held this month itself.
“The decision has been taken by the president (Sukhdeo Bhagat) to revive the workers at local level. There is also a core committee that would chalk-out strategies for polls and plan to activate party workers that have been in dormant mode for years,” said Radha Krishna Kishore, a member of the committee and also coordinator for Palamau division. The workers’ meet would besides reviving them assign specific tasks for their respective areas for upbringing the support base of the party and also the moral of the small party workers.
The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) has also got a task in hand from Delhi to propagate and spread awareness among the voters about “achievements of the UPA-II” since Sukhdeo Bhagat got reign into his hands after prolonged stints given to Pradeep Balmuchu. Interestingly Balmuchu has not found a place into the core committee.
“It has been learnt at central level that Congress workers are demoralised which is taking its toll on their numbers and also on the votes the party gets. Only showcasing tall leaders at the time of polls would not do. The present move is in that direction only,” said another member of the core committee.
Holding workers’ meet is also an indication that the party has concentrated on poll preparations with lowered chances of Government formation with the support of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). It would also match the efforts other parties are making in the wake of upcoming polls. The party would hold rallies following the ground preparation exercise.
Face of the party in the State, Jairam Ramesh, has got a task in his hands and expected to attend Ranchi division’s meet. Indications are also that the Congress would replace State in-charge Shakil Ahmed with someone to give the effort a fillip in Jharkhand. Former Cabinet Minister Subodh Kant Sahay has also been formally inducted into the core committee since his repatriation to the State.
“The in-charge has not visited Jharkhand in last more than six months for official purposes. How come the party workers would get guidance and directions coming from high commandIJ Just keeping top leaders into the loop has ruined the party in the State and now the time has come to revert the practice,” said a senior party leader.