Amid setbacks, BJP Mokokchung celebrates unity at Tsüngremmung Festival
The BJP in Nagaland has been going through a tough time, particularly in Mokokchung, ever since the party was alleged to be “anti-Christian.” Acknowledging these challenges, the BJP Mokokchung District came together on August 3, 2024, to observe the Tsüngremmung Festival at Rempo, Dikhu Road, Ungma, to strengthen the party.
BJP MLA and Advisor Imkong L Imchen, who was the special guest, acknowledged that the party’s performance in the recent elections had not been as expected. Imchen also recognized the few BJP members who left the party to join Congress, stating that they should “wish them luck” and urged BJP workers to focus on strengthening the party and its future. According to S Bendang Aier, BJP Mokokchung Unit President, the BJP has a system where new office bearers are selected every tenure, and the office bearers can now select their own team of officials.
Advisor Imchen noted that the BJP’s poor electoral performance was significantly contributed to by a massive “anti-incumbency factor” and “social media propaganda,” which the BJP party workers, including the central leadership, failed to counter. “BJP performed poorly in Northeast states due to the portrayal of BJP as something ‘devilish,’ and the BJP failed to counter that narrative.”
Imchen also cited a mistake in “tactical” and “strategic” planning that contributed to the BJP’s dismal performance. However, he instilled confidence in the party, stating that he received the people’s mandate on a BJP ticket.
“I have never defected legally”
Responding to some allegations that he was a “defector,” Imchen clarified that he had never “defected legally.”
”I have never defected legally. The question of defection does not arise,” he asserted, explaining that before he joined the BJP, he had resigned from the NDPP, resigned as a member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, and then joined the BJP and contested from it.
According to Imchen, that can never be termed as defection, and he said his whole focus is now on how the BJP should survive. Imchen urged the BJP workers to strive to sustain and survive the struggles they were facing. “It’s time for us to look forward to what to do in the future,” he said, expressing confidence that the BJP will sustain. He urged the BJP to “navigate the main current of the river” by focusing on issues prevailing in the district, such as the Mokokchung-Mariani road and the Langpangkong road.
He challenged the BJP workers to ask themselves how dedicated they are to the party and encouraged them to raise their voices against social injustices and problems. He asked the BJP workers to have a firm ideology and not be people of questionable integrity. He further sought unity from the BJP workers and asked them to uphold their ideology strongly to receive the people’s mandate, stating, “Without you having an ideology, no one will come to you.”
S Bendang Aier, BJP Mokokchung Unit President, acknowledged that the BJP is going through a crisis in the district and urged the workers to “set a good example.” He encouraged the party workers to admit flaws in one another and correct each other’s limitations.
The program was chaired by Imchanaro, a benediction was pronounced by Imnatemsu, the welcome address was given by O Tinu Longkumer, and the meaning of Tsüngremmung was shared by Imtichizüng. A special song was presented by Achila Longkumtsür, a vote of thanks was delivered by T Bendangyanger Jamir, and the benediction was pronounced by Meyisupong Longkumer.