Though an ally of the NDA, National People’s Party(NPP) has decided to oppose and will continue to, against the proposal by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across India.
This was stated by National general secretary (Org), NPP James K Sangma, at the press meet after the handing and taking over of the president of the state unit at Hotel Saramati. He also reminded that NPP national president and Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, had made many statements opposing on the UCC, including its two MPs in the parliament.
When asked if state NPP and its legislators would oppose UCC, Sangma informed that state leaders would be meeting to discuss the matter but clearly indicating that the party, as a whole would stand strong in opposing the UCC.
Asked to comment on the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Sangma said his party has expressed concern at the situation and that has been reaching out to all sections of society.
He also disclosed that NPP legislators from Manipur have also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and appealed to take appropriate actions to resolve the matter and ensure that peace and normalcy was returned to Manipur.
On whether NPP believed that ‘President Rule’ should have been imposed Sangma replied that though such suggestions were made with the Union Government, it was the decision of the Union Government to take necessary actions as to how to solve the ongoing crisis.
He however agreed that more was needed to be done in order to ensure normalcy returns Manipur and expressed the hope that the Union Government would address the issue.
“Solution lies in the hands of the Union Government. Government of India should act fast, be it in whatever form to bring peace and normalcy to Manipur”, he stated.
When asked on why none of the five NPP legislators were given any posts in the present government, Sangma said his party was patiently waiting and hoping that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiun Rio will respond . He said all five NPP legislators were experienced leaders who are capable of taking up any position and work for the betterment of Nagas.
Asked to comment on the need to have an opposition in the assembly, Sangma maintained that it was not necessary to be in the opposition to voice out the concerns of the people. He every legislator was duty bound to raise issues pertinent to their people.
He said NPP legislators will raise issues and add voice on them even the party is a part of the present government.
When asked on the party’s stand on “One government, one tax”, newly inducted national general secretary (frontal organisation) and former state NPP president, Dr Andrew Ahoto, said that best thing that could happen to any nation or any state or any district was obviously “one tax, one government”. He added that the state cannot be having multiple tax as the common people were suffering. He pointed that public make society and also chooses the leader also.
Andrew expressed the hope that solution should come at the earliest and questioned the delay in achieving this objective since all stakeholders have agreed on solution.
. “I feel there is something up there or below. But I feel the matter should be taken cognizance at the earliest’, he stated.
When asked on his opinion of the NSCN (I-M) statement alleging that many factions in Nagaland was the handiwork of the government of India and a sinister plan to delay the process, Andrew replied that this was only passing the buck as it was easier to put blame on one another. He also questioned NSCN (I-M), as the largest body about its own seriousness about when solution would be achieved.
He also opined that it does not matter whether there were 100 organizations coming or splitting up, as long as they were one in looking at solution at the earliest.
When asked on the stand of the three NPP MLAs from ENPO area at the ongoing talks between the Central government and the ENPO, newly inducted state NPP president, A Nyamnei Konyak, replied that the three MLAs from ENPO area were yet to discuss on it.