Herald: Has the Congress party started its preparations for the 2017 assembly elections?
Singh: We have begun a membership drive to try and strengthen the party. This is ongoing and is being done to ensure participation of the people. We have to also encourage Congress workers to take up peoples’ issues. Goa is a state which has a polity which is highly politically sensitive and where issues of governance and environment take precedence.
Herald: What were the reasons that led to the defeat of the Congress party in the recent two elections?
Singh: In Goa the Congress party had become power centric because of which the organization suffered. Now, we are paying more attention to the party and soon we will rebuild the party infusing it with new members. There is a membership drive going on. We will also groom new leadership.
Herald: What are the issues that the party will take up to try and put pressure on the government?
Singh: We will concentrate on the failed election promises of the government, and also corruption and nepotism that is being practiced by this government. The chief minister (former) himself had the gumption to say that 90 per cent of government jobs had been taken from (by) BJP workers. Is this not nepotism? But the state leadership has to take up these issues. And they will do so.
Herald: Do you feel there was some disconnect between the Congress party and the media?
Singh: Media has become very relevant today. They have to take up news 24×7. So we have to take up various issues with the media, at the appropriate time. Also, we have to ensure that our spokespersons are fully briefed. When the selection is done we have to carefully see what type of spokespersons are being selected. They have to be articulate and fully briefed. But there certainly was some disconnect. And even if it was not a disconnect, then it was not to a level that was desirable.
