After being literally hounded out of the Congress, for supporting the eight Congress legislators who had joined DAN government in April 2015 , former veteran ministers and leaders formally floated a new political party under the name and style of ‘Nagaland Congress’ (NC) with the symbol ‘Naga Morung’ at a simple function at the conference room of Hotel Saramati here Tuesday.
Some of the former Congress leaders had served the party as long as thirty years such as Nillo Rengma while others had been senior ministers in Congress governments.
The name Nagaland Congress also indicates that the founders have retained a link with their past association though making it clear, NC is totally independent of the INC.
With the party headquarters at Dimapur, NC is being headed by former minister Nillo Rengma as president and an ad hoc team of office bearers that included- former NLA speaker Z. Lohe, former deputy speaker Joshua Sumi; ex-parliamentary secretary Dako Phom; former youth congress president Prasielie Pienyu, former MLAs – Khuosatho and S. Supongmeren Jamir, ex-candidate Vaprumu Demo, ex-state chief organiser Seva Dal, GK Rengma and former chairman of NHHDC Dr. Roland Lotha.
Addressing the gathering of former Congress members and well wishers, NC president, Nillo Rengma explained that the party was formed with the firm objective of providing “transparency in governance, accountability to the public, and to safeguard the rights of the Nagas.” He further said that “Nagaland Congress aims to reform Nagaland and fully supports the Church in its campaign for clean elections”.
Former NLA speaker, Z. Lohe said the formation was necessitated due to “lack of a political platform in Nagaland” and the penchant for indulging in tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, parochialism, factionalism, and individualism.
Against the backdrop of rampant corruption, political instability, backdoor appointments, and social disarray in the State, Lohe asserted the need for change in Nagaland. He opined that the newly formed NC would aspire for ushering in an era of change by being “national in outlook and regional in content.”
Meanwhile, NC has categorically denied any affiliation with the Indian National Congress although the name would seem to suggest. “The word ‘Congress’ is borrowed from the dictionary and nowhere else,” the party maintained.
Speaking to media persons after the launch, NC informed it would “definitely” field party candidates in the 2018 assembly election. The leaders of the NC also disclosed that some prominent politicians would be joining the party in the near future.
Earlier, the program began after invocation prayer by senior pastor, Sumi Baptist Church Dimapur, Vitoshe Swu. Vaprumu Demo welcomed the delegates and party workers. Joshua Sumi, chairman of the NC constitution drafting committee, introduced the office bearers and supervised the adoption and approval of NC constitution.
Short speeches were also made by Dako Phom, Prasielie Pienyu, G.K. Rengma, and Dr. Roland Lotha. The program concluded with a vote of thanks by S. Supongmeren Jamir followed by mass prayer.
It may be mentioned that the NPCC expelled eight of its members for three years with effect from November 20, 2015 and also recommended to AICC for disciplinary action against four members. The eight expelled members include Supongmeren, Nillo Rengma, Vaprumo Demo, Konngam, Sulanthung, H. Chuba, Prasilie Pienyu, G. K. Rengma.
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