In a significant political development that signalled the near-breaking point of the strained alliance, Nagaland BJP, a long time ally of the NPF in the DAN, has decided to speak out against what it described as “mis-governance and misdeeds of the state government” as it could no longer remain silent when people were in utter misery.
This was contained in a damning representation submitted to the Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya, state BJP president Visazolie Lhoungu, Advisor I.K.Sema, former president Dr. Chuba, State executive member Dr.Temsuwati and convenor (F&DC) H.K.Khulu IAS (Retd) and vice president James Vizo.
The signatories hit out that “corruption in the DAN government had crossed all limits” and warned that unless corrective measures were undertaken, society was being pushed to a situation where there would be no rule of law, development, vision or direction as could be evidenced by the following:
This also comes a day after Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya left no room to speak bluntly against its government, pointing out that corruption has become ubiquitous in Nagaland and that “thieves, robbers and corrupted people should be exposed.” The BJP unit, to back its claim, highlighted several issues. Citing the C&AG’s reports, BJP said the reports have clearly brought out “the many irregularities and rampant corruption that was prevalent in the state under the present government”.
“Most of the departments like Rural Development, School Education, Medical, Social welfare, Power, Food and Civil Supply and most sector are deeply mired in unprecedented corruption resulting in various form of protest by the stakeholders which are being suppressed with false promise and even by force as in the case of recent SSA Teacher agitation,” BJP stated.
The party further pointed out that the “Vigilance Commission in the state has been rendered toothless by the recent resolution of the State Cabinet stipulating that prior approval of the chief secretary would be mandatory for any investigation”. Such decision was a clear indication of the intention of the government to prevent unbiased investigation, the BJP unit said.
Reminding that the party was committed to stand and work for a corrupt free government in line with the clarion call made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP unit appealed to the Governor to intervene and take appropriate measure “for the innocent people in the state who are under the weight of this gross injustice and mis-governance”.
A party member said that this memorandum would also be handed over to the Prime Minister.
The last straw for the Nagaland BJP was the unceremonious manner in which its legislator Mmhonlumo Kikon was sacked as parliamentary secretary over without any reason(s) assigned.