Indian Overseas Congress welcomes the intervention by the AICC to freeze global appointments of OICC officials as a step forward in bringing unity for a more effective outreach to the international Diaspora. Through this action, AICC is reaffirming that the Overseas Congress Department under Mr. Sam Pitroda is mandated to organize and manage all party-related activities abroad while requesting all other related entities to respect that mandate to avoid duplication or resultant conflicts.
OICC was primarily created for the Gulf region, where political activities by foreigners are forbidden. The word ‘cultural’ was added to justify their operations there. Developed countries do not have such restrictions, and the IOC could operate freely with State chapters under its wings. For that reason, there is no need to bring OICC to those shores, where it would only foment groupism and create fissures.
The Kerala Chapter under IOCUSA has existed for well over a decade. People wonder whether the need to create an OICC on these shores is driven by ideological reasons or strictly based on personal choice of self-aggrandizement.
India stands at a critical juncture, with an election that could shape the course of our democratic traditions and secular principles. This is not just a political event, but a defining moment for all those who believe in the Nehruvian vision and the very idea of India. It is time for us, as supporters of the Indian National Congress, to unite and make our voices heard, for our actions today can change the course of history.