Parliamentary Secretary urban development Zhaleo Rio hit out at the Congress saying it was never inclined towards solving the Naga political issue and therefore only a non-Congress party or coalition at the Centre could address the issue.
According to a statement issued by Sebastian Zumvu, general secretary NPF Central Office and assistant in-charge NPF Dimapur Division, Zhaleo said this while addressing a campaign rally for DAN consensus candidate and chief minister Neiphiu Rio at Old Showuba attended by neighbouring villages under Ghaspani-II.
Zhaleo maintained that India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, told a Naga delegation that “Nagas will never be given independence even if the sky falls”.
He said this view was later echoed by his daughter Indira Gandhi, then her son, Rajiv Gandhi as prime ministers and that it was the same in Delhi today with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
Zhaleo renewed the charge that Congress always treated Nagas and tribals with a step-motherly treatment. He cited the change in funding pattern for special category states like Nagaland which the Congress changed in 1989, adversely affecting development activities in the states. The racial discrimination meted out to north east people continue “unabated in metropolitan cities under UPA regime”, he said. Taking on the NPCC booklet “11 years of misrule in Nagaland under chief minister Neiphiu Rio”, Zhaleo said it was due to drastic reduction in Annual Plan by the Congress at the Centre, which badly affected Nagaland.
Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi accused Congress of always dividing Naga people.
He pointed out that in 1964, after cease fire was signed between the government of India with the FGN, six MLAs of the regional party, the Democratic Party resigned to ensure “free and smooth dialogue”. However, he said, the Naga Nationalist Organisation (NNO) disagreed, thereby the resignations went in vain.
Further, he pointed out that in 1998 when all parties heeded to the Naga Hoho’s call for boycott of the assembly election, the Congress refused and thereby defeated the “noble sacrifices of the Naga people”.
Khekiho also claimed that the Congress did not respond to the call by the NPF president Dr Shurhozelie to support Neiphiu Rio “ as the consensus candidate of the Naga people”.
He also claimed that Congress legislators were today divided, with some of them seeking “our blessing in the run up to the 16th Lok Sabha elections”.
He appealed to voters to heed the winds of change and “grab the opportunity by voting in favour of the DAN consensus candidate Neiphiu Rio”.Parliamentary Secretary technical education, IT and Taxes, Tovihoto Ayemi asserted that after 50 years of statehood, Nagas have matured and so there was nothing to be said about the Congress which was rejected overwhelmingly by the people in 2013.
He welcomed all into the huge and roomful DAN vehicle for peace, progress and prosperity.
Independent MLA Jacob Zhimomi declared, that of all chief ministers, Neiphiu Rio was the best there is and will ever be and a Pole star for the Nagas. He said all independent MLAs have decided to give Rio their unconditional support.
BJP Nagaland spokesman and general secretary James Vizo asserted that NDA paid utmost importance even to small states like Nagaland. He went on to remind of BJP prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to Nagaland in October 2003 and also wrote off the Rs.365 cr deficit left behind by the previous Congress government.Vizo also said Vajpayee announced Rs.1000 cr package for Nagaland but that the UPA cancelled it the following year after coming to power and constricted funds flow to the state.
The BJP spokesperson said Vajpayee in his independence day speech at Red Fort in 2002 stated “ our efforts for permanent peace in Nagaland are progressing towards success”. He said the BJP national council meet in New Delhi on January 2014 reiterated towards finding a permanent solution to the Naga issue.
Vizo also revealed that BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi assured BJP Nagaland in Gujarat in November 2013, that if the the NDA came to power, it would pursue peaceful atmosphere and maximum development for the entire north east.
JD(U) Nagaland president Mhonjan Lotha accused Congress leader and former Goa chief minister of never talking about development but only making false and ridiculous allegations. Mhonjan said the 50th state anniversary gift from the Congress was a massive reduction of funds and exuded confidence that the Congress would be voted out of power in the parliamentary elections.
Leave a Reply