SAYS STATE DRIVEN IN REVERSE GEAR; ASSURES TO WORK FOR NAGA SOLUTION
In the NPF heartland, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi took Kohima by storm at the Lok Sabha campaign rally for Congress candidate K.V.Pusa where several thousands jam-packed the local ground.
Donned in traditional Angami warrior’s attire, Rahul began by greeting the crowd in tenyidie ‘Vibazomo?” (how are you?”). The crowd responded with a thunderous applause.
Rahul said, the traditional warrior’s attire, signified the glorious part of Naga history and that he greatly respected the Naga culture and tradition adding that “we can never be a great country without respecting each other’s culture”.
Appreciating the rich culture and tradition of the north east, Rahul said India’s strength was in its diverse and rich culture and tradition. He cautioned, that the BJP-led NDA agenda was to impose a different brand of culture and religion which and which was the biggest difference between Congress and BJP.
Rahul vowed to commit himself towards bringing a solution to the long drawn Naga political talks and pointed out that it was the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, which took the bold step for talking with the NSCN leaders.
While reiterating his assurance towards solution to the Naga political issue, Rahul however said “I do not make promises in the air, that it will be solved within three months, like your chief minister, who promised something he was incapable of delivering”.
“My heart is in trying to bring peace and harmony in the state” said Rahul.
On economic development, he said “Nagaland is among the few states in India that is actually going backwards. Rio’s government has put Nagaland in reverse gear which is not good for the people of Nagaland”. Rahul said Rio should shift into the gear of development instead of making false promises”.
Charging Rio of taking Nagaland backwards, Rahul regretted that even people who were to drive the vehicle were not taught how to drive.
Citing figures, he said under NPF-led DAN, Nagaland’s growth rate has gone down from 8.3 to 3.5 percent. He said the Centre during the past 17 months had allotted Rs.300 crore for four-lane roads but not a single was completed. Instead, he said the NPF-led DAN government sought revision of original estimates by two and half times. Returning to the allegory, Rahul said “ not only driving the car in reverse gear, but not even constructing road for the car to reverse”. He also hit out at the NPF government for failure to pay salaries of government employees under RMSA and SSA. He asked ,if teachers were not paid salaries, how could youngsters move ahead?
Rahul Gandhi promised that his party would create “100 million jobs” for the unemployed youth of the Northeastern states if it was voted back to power at the Centre.
On women empowerment, he said “no state can move forward without empowering women.” Keeping this in mind Rahul said the UPA government decided to reserve 50% seat for women in local bodies and 33% for state assemblies and parliament.
He also promised to open dedicated police stations for women run by women.
Maintaining that connectivity was one of the single biggest problems in the region, Rahul assured the next UPA government at the Centre would take up road, rail air and infrastructure development in Nagaland and the region on a priority basis.
Stating that he was the biggest supporter of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Look East policy, Rahul promised to build the industrial corridor and connect the Northeast including Nagaland not only with Asian countries but with the rest of the world. He said Arunachali student Nido Taniam was killed by those who did not understand nor respect the culture of the north east.
He further announced that he would be the “special representative” of North East people in Delhi and called the gathering to contact him anytime as his doors would be kept open for “you”.
Earlier in his welcome address, NPCC president S.I. Jamir urged upon the AICC vice president to take personal interest in bringing a solution to the Naga political issue and reminded that it was his grandfather, then prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who granted statehood to Nagaland. Jamir also mentioned the care and concern shown to Nagaland by late Indira Gandhi and the initiatives taken by late Rajiv Gandhi for Nagaland’s development including the political issue.
AICC general secretary in-charge of Nagaland Luizinho Faleiro recalled late Rajiv’s love and passion for the people of the north east. He expressed pain at the “neglect, corruption and scams in Nagaland. Faleiro said in a democracy, education, empowerment of women and youth was imperative but lamented that there was no a single educational institute worth mentioning in Nagaland.
CLP leader Tokheho highlighted alleged mismanagement by the present government and failure of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs of NPF in looking after the welfare of the people.
Former minister K. Therie accused Rio of having sold out Nagas and presently hobnobbing the BJP. Former Speaker, Z.Lohe, who rejoined Congress interpreted Rahul’s speech to Tenyidie.
Rahul ignores security to greet the crowd
Despite heavy SPG security cover, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi came down to greet the people soon after making his speech. Rahul expressed his joy and excitement to be in Nagaland to meet the beautiful people and see the natural scenic beauty of the state.
While ignoring his own security to shake hands with the people, SPG’s had to jump over the barricades to protect him.
NPCC sources said though Kohima is the NPF’s strong hold, the overwhelming attendance at the rally was a clear indication that people were tired of the misrule of NPF-led DAN government.
KDCC expresses gratitude: Kohima District Congress Committee (KDCC) has expressed gratitude to the public of Kohima and delegates from far and near for the successful campaign programme attended by AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi at Kohima Local Ground.
In a press release, KDCC president Prasielie Pienyü and general secretary Viseyienou Keretsü said the committee also thanked the MLAs, NPCC, Mahila, NPYC, NSUI and Seva Dal, Kohima administration, police, business community, students and the public for making the programme a success.
KDCC also appreciated the Nepali Baptist Church, Kohim for allowing to hold Rahul’s rally as the ground was already booked for the ongoing cricket tournament.
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