Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra reshaping Congress fortunes in Nagaland for Lok Sabha 2024

As part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi embarked on a transformative journey across Nagaland, strategically covering key districts like Kohima, Tseminyu, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Mokokchung. This move, aligning with the impending Lok Sabha 2024 elections, has the potential to reshape the political landscape of the state.

In 2019, Congress faced defeat as KL Chishi lost to NDPP’s Tokheho Yepthomi by 15,334 votes. Now, the Yatra is not only bridging geographical gaps but also leaving an enduring imprint on the Congress party’s vision for the imminent elections.

A comprehensive dialogue with district presidents reveals the profound impact of Rahul Gandhi’s visit. Watimongba, the 70-year-old president of Mokokchung District Congress Committee, with 43 years of party service, believes people are “yearning” for Congress after two decades without its rule in the state.

“It has been 20 years without Congress rule in the state. As far as I am concerned, people are getting tired of the ruling government. Of course, Congress can never compete with them in terms of money power but there is always some soft corner within the people for the Congress,” he said.

He also viewed that many people are supporting the ruling parties because there’s ‘money’ involved, otherwise, he viewed that people are ‘not very happy with governance’. And, therefore, he believes that the Yatra by their leader has really instilled stronger emotions for Congress in the hearts of the people.

Wamo, President of Tseminyu District Congress Committee, a veteran Congress member, stated that in his constituency, Congress is “always in their heart.” He elaborated, saying, “It’s just that we do not have a candidate; otherwise, we have a very strong bond with the Congress party.”

He expressed gratitude for Rahul’s visit to their district, noting that it has reignited and reinvigorated their Congress spirit. “I really want to thank the party and Rahul himself for stopping in our district. It was regretful that the time was brief, but it has truly served as a political awakening for the constituents. We now feel like we have been recharged,” he added.

Speaking about the Yatra’s impact, the Tseminyu president confidently predicted that the Yatra will have a “very good impact” in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Vikato, President of the Zunheboto District Congress Committee, expressed confidence that there have been instances of mass resignations from parties like the BJP, with people joining the Congress party over recent months.

“I don’t know about other districts, but we have instances in Akuloto and Suruhoto where there have been en masse resignations from other parties, and people are joining Congress. We also have Aghunato in line next,” he said. Vikato, who has roughly worked with the Congress for about 20 years, mentioned that whether the Lok Sabha will see a Congress victory or not will depend upon the candidate as well as their opposition fields.

Although it is not clear whether the Congress’ rival, the NDPP-BJP ally, will share the seat in the upcoming election, as the Yatra culminates in the state, the Congress party finds itself reinvigorated and redefined with their leader’s visit.

Mokokchung Times