Taking strong exception to chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s statement on the Naga problem in his address at the NPF General Convention on Tuesday, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has said Rio’s statement “A section that is not part of the solution cannot deny that they are part of the problem” was “contradictory and discriminatory in nature.”
Demanding a clarification from the chief minister as to which “section” he meant, NPCC in a press release issued by vice president (Admn.) Zachilhu Vadeo said NPF had sailed to power in 2003 and 2008 elections with their policy of “Equi-closeness” and, therefore, Rio’s statement implied that “his equi-closeness policy had taken him too close to a section of people while distancing from other section of people.”
“As a regional political party advocating the policy of equi-closeness, he is expected to unite all sections of people. So, it is not the Congress party after all, but NPF which divides the Nagas,” NPCC said.
NPCC also said that though the Government of India recognized the Naga cause as political in nature, the NPF had started calling the “National Workers” as “Militants,” thereby reducing the Naga political right and recognition to “militant movement.’
The State Congress party said it was unfortunate that the NPF leaders, while enjoying the fruit of 16- Point Agreement, continued to condemn the agreement with impunity in an attempt to exploit the sentiments of Naga public.
“The days of fooling the public as the sole champion of the Naga cause are however, over,” NPCC said. On the other hand, NPCC claimed that the Congress party in its long stint as a “responsible” National Political Party had consistently maintained its equi-distance policy and ushered in peace in Nagaland through the Cease-fire agreements signed between the Government of India and the two NSCN factions.
On integration of all Naga-inhabited areas, NPCC said the issue was not a new development as it was part of the 16-Point agreement under clause 13 and that the Congress party of Nagaland on its part had taken initiative and intensively played its role by passing resolutions on several occasions on the floor of the Assembly.
On NPF’s contention that it was the oldest regional political party in the State, NPCC corrected that the United Front, “long buried and forgotten by the people,” was the oldest regional party.
“NPF is a new born baby, born out of political wed-lock and as usual, may transform into another nomenclature even before the next General Election,” NPCC added.
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