The Andaman and Nicobar unit of the Congress party convened a press conference on Wednesday, addressing four pressing issues: allegations of mass defections to the BJP, the poor state of infrastructure in North and Middle Andaman, concerns over the execution of the Great Nicobar mega project, and a recent threat against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member.
The conference, led by Andaman and Nicobar Congress president Rangalal Halder, campaign committee chairperson TSG Bhasker, and Mahila Morcha head Zubaida Begum, and ward councillor Tamil Selvam, sought to present what the party described as a “united front” against misinformation and mismanagement.
Opening the session, the Congress leaders addressed reports that nearly 300 of their workers had defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to Halder, the claims were “fabricated propaganda aimed at creating an impression of a weakened Congress.”
The party maintained that those presented as defectors were not members of the Congress in the first place. “Many of these individuals have never even stepped inside the Congress office,” Halder said. The leadership demanded that the BJP provide verifiable evidence of the defections instead of, in their words, “manufacturing figures to inflate their presence in the islands.”
Mahila Morcha head Begum added that the Congress remains “united and resilient,” dismissing suggestions of internal disarray. The leadership underlined that attempts to portray Congress as fragmented were an “organized effort to distract citizens from the real issues” affecting the islands.
The press conference also highlighted outrage over a public threat made against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by RSS member Pintu Mahadevan on a live platform.
Calling the remarks “cowardly and undemocratic,” the local unit alleged that the silence of the government in response to such statements indicated tacit approval. “The failure of the government to condemn such rhetoric raises concerns over its commitment to democratic values,” the party leaders said, adding that the incident reflects “fear of Rahul Gandhi’s growing connection with ordinary citizens.”
The Congress also drew attention to what it described as the “erosion of civil discourse” under the present climate, alleging that such intimidation tactics undermined the very principles of a democratic society.
Much of the conference focused on the “deplorable” condition of roads across North and Middle Andaman. Citing the stretch from Sri Vijaya Puram in the capital to Diglipur, the leaders described a road network that has become “a chain of potholes rather than a functioning highway.”
“Cars, trucks, ambulances, no vehicle is safe. This is no longer an inconvenience but a life-threatening hazard,” Bhasker said. The party presented a narrative of villages cut off by broken infrastructure, with frequent damage to vehicles and risks to human life.
The leaders alleged that despite an expenditure of nearly ₹3,500 crore on the National Highway project, little tangible progress could be seen. “The money has vanished, but the road has not appeared,” Halder said, demanding a full explanation from authorities.
As an alternative, the party suggested temporarily closing the highway for non-essential movement while essential services could continue under controlled access. They further recommended diverting heavy goods and logistics through cargo ships up to Mayabunder, with smaller vessels carrying supplies onwards. This, they argued, would create space for meaningful repair and rebuilding, rather than superficial patchwork.
The Great Nicobar trans-shipment and development project, one of the largest infrastructure proposals in the region, also came under scrutiny during the press conference. While the Congress clarified that it is not opposed to development, it criticized the manner in which the project is being pushed forward.
“The concern is not development itself but the model of development,” Bhasker explained. The leadership argued that decisions regarding the project have been made without adequate environmental or social assessment, especially concerning the displacement of the indigenous Shompen community and the potential ecological consequences.
The party called for an independent committee, free from political influence, to conduct in-depth research on both the environmental impact and the cultural implications for the islanders.
Additionally, the Congress leadership questioned the proposal to settle nearly five lakh people from mainland India on the island as part of the project’s demographic expansion plan. Instead, they suggested ensuring that existing island residents become primary stakeholders in the initiative. “Islanders must benefit directly, rather than being pushed aside in their own land,” Halderl said.
Summing up its stance, the party declared: “We do not need another Singapore here. What we need is Andaman, a place that respects its people, culture, and environment.”
By combining local infrastructure grievances with national-level concerns over political intimidation and mega projects, the Congress unit appears to be positioning itself as both a defender of islanders’ daily struggles and a voice against broader governance lapses.
The party’s statements on the Great Nicobar project also echo growing voices in civil society, where questions have been raised about whether the project’s long-term costs to the environment and tribal communities outweigh its proposed economic benefits.
At the close of the press conference, the leadership reiterated that the Congress in Andaman and Nicobar remains a “cohesive and determined force.” They dismissed speculation about weakening ranks, underlined the need for accountability on infrastructure spending, demanded stronger safeguards for democratic processes, and pressed for a more inclusive and sustainable development model.
By placing local challenges and national political concerns on the same platform, the party signaled its intention to mount a comprehensive critique of both governance at the centre and its local manifestations in the islands.
For now, the questions raised, from the truth behind the claimed defections, to the silence over threats to opposition leaders, to the crumbling of critical roads, and the push for a mega project without adequate safeguards, remain unanswered. And for residents across the islands, the issues highlighted cut across the political spectrum, touching on safety, accountability, and the future direction of development in the archipelago.
