the goan I network
MARGAO
Veteran Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro is back in the North Eastern States as All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary, with the Navelim MLA saying he could not say no to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s request to take charge of the North East.
Faleiro’s brief, apparently is to stop the BJP’s free run in the North East and to ensure that the Congress flag flies again in these States. With Mizoram going to the polls later this year in November and Arunachal Pradesh early next year, sources said the Congress President has appointed Faleiro at the right time ahead of Assembly elections to these two States.
That Faleiro may be roped in to take up the position as the AICC general secretary in-charge of the North Eastern states (excluding Assam) became evident last month when he was handpicked by the Congress president Rahul Gandhi as the Chairman of the screening Committee for Mizoram.
“Initially, I was hesitant to go back to the North East as I had a long stint there and had ensured Congress victory in those States. But, I could not say no to the requests of the Congress president”, he said.
Faleiro, however, made it clear that he would devote close attention to his Navelim constituency, which had elected him back to power after a gap of 10 years. “I am indebted to the people of Navelim and I cannot leave them midway. I will devote my time and energy to my people of Navelim constituency”, he said.
The Congress veteran is likely to head to the North Eastern states from next week after he celebrates his birthday during the weekend. “Normally, I visit 2-3 states at a time during my visit to the North East. Since these states are not new to me, I am in a better position to handle the affairs of the party in these States’, Faleiro said. Sources in the know said the Congress
THE CALL OF THE NORTH
Faleiro’s key task is to stop BJP’s free run in the North East and to ensure that Congress flag flies again in these States
To concentrate on Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh scheduled to go to polls within the next six months
Appointment assumes significance in the backdrop of setbacks for Congress in some of these States at the hands of the BJP-led parties
