NDPP rejects Cong’s allegation of ‘booth capturing’; demands proof

Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has vehemently condemned the Indian National Congress (INC)’s allegation that NDPP-BJP alliance supporters were preparing for booth capturing on the polling day in certain assembly constituencies of the State.
NDPP through its media & communication committee stated that Congress’ allegation “holds no merit or basis whatsoever” and demanded that the INC substantiate its allegations with concrete evidence or publicly apologize for trying to defame the image and name of the two political parties namely NDPP and BJP.
NDPP said that as a political party duly recognized by the Election Commission of India (ECI) the party strictly adhered to all the democratic norms as per the laws established. It also said that
The party promotes and supports the conduct of free and fair elections as enshrined under the Constitution of India and would continue to stand for democracy and the process of democratically electing governments.
NDPP maintained that it had never and would never be a party to any kind of practice that went against the very fabric of democracy and the conduct of free and fair elections. “Neither the Party nor any of our supporters condone, support or resort to such anti-democratic methods like booth capturing etc,” NDPP said and appealed to the electorates not to be swayed by “such unsubstantiated allegations.”
Over the period of the campaign, the party asserted that there had been opinions, views and comments aired on many platforms on issues and subjects that were “directly or indirectly” directed at the NDPP and the PDA. However, NDPP said the party refrained from reacting or responding since it believed and stood for the freedom of speech, thought and expression.
Being a political party that was regional in identity with a global outlook, NDPP said it would continue to stand steadfast in its commitment to protect the rights and privileges of each and every citizen of Nagaland as enshrined under Article 371(A).
NDPP also said the party would “not compromise our Christian faith and belief as we work towards further uplifting our State and our people”
However, NDPP reminded that an election and the electoral battle were contested based on political ideologies and principles and not on religious and communal lines. It said that doing so would be going against the Constitution of India and the very definition of democracy.
The ruling party said that three candidates contesting the lone Lok Sabha seat were all fellow believers in Christ. However, it described as “very unfortunate” that one of the candidates had been condemned and targeted along with the party he represented (NDPP) on religious lines.
Stating that religion knows no politics or political parties, NDPP said religion was an individual choice and that choice was safeguarded by the Constitution of India, adding that no one can impose or enforce religion on any individual or individuals or oppose the choices they make.
The party pointed out that religious persecutions were happening all over the world and “more so in India today we see the persecution of religious minorities particularly the Christian community.”
Asserting it had always been vocal against such acts of religious intolerance, NDPP vowed to continue to oppose such acts in the future. “However, in the present juncture, is it also not a form of religious intolerance/persecution that we are condemning fellow believers in Christ on religious lines?” the party questioned.
NDPP has, therefore, called upon all fellow believers to love and respect one another as state faced yet another election that would conclude on April 19, 2024.
NDPP further appealed to the electorates of the State to come out and exercise their universal adult franchises conscientiously and not emotionally.
The party expressed gratitude to the people of Nagaland for reposing their faith and confidence on the NDPP-led PDA government in the general elections of 2023. “It is with this mandate that the NDPP-led PDA alliance has put forward the candidature of Dr. Chumben Murry as the PDA consensus candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” it stated.

NDPP Jangpetkong: Reacting to the allegation by Congress party that the booth capturing was inevitable in Jangpetkong assembly constituency by NDP-BJP supporters, the 29-NDPP Jangpetkong A/C said it was shocked and perturbed by such “wild allegation.”
In a letter DC &DECO Mokokchung, 29-Jangpetkong NDPP president Aodangnok and Watichaba have urged the DC to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and urgency. It also threatened to seek legal action against NPCC if it failed to substantiate their claim before the polling.
“We deem the allegation as a well-calculated strategy for the Congress party to vitiate and malign our party, with malicious intention to gain unfair advantage by creating fear psychosis in the minds of the electorate,” the party said, while condemning the “cheap and malafied political maneuvers”.
The party reiterated that throughout their campaign trail for PDA candidate, they had always stressed and advocated for free, fair and peaceful poll in the constituency.