\nDemanding a clarification from the chief minister as to which \u201csection\u201d he meant, NPCC in a press release issued by vice president (Admn.) Zachilhu Vadeo said NPF had sailed to power in 2003 and 2008 elections with their policy of \u201cEqui-closeness\u201d and, therefore, Rio\u2019s statement implied that \u201chis equi-closeness policy had taken him too close to a section of people while distancing from other section of people.\u201d
\n \u201cAs a regional political party advocating the policy of equi-closeness, he is expected to unite all sections of people. So, it is not the Congress party after all, but NPF which divides the Nagas,\u201d NPCC said.
\nNPCC also said that though the Government of India recognized the Naga cause as political in nature, the NPF had started calling the \u201cNational Workers\u201d as \u201cMilitants,\u201d thereby reducing the Naga political right and recognition to \u201cmilitant movement.\u2019
\nThe State Congress party said it was unfortunate that the NPF leaders, while enjoying the fruit of 16- Point Agreement, continued to condemn the agreement with impunity in an attempt to exploit the sentiments of Naga public.
\n\u201cThe days of fooling the public as the sole champion of the Naga cause are however, over,\u201d NPCC said. On the other hand, NPCC claimed that the Congress party in its long stint as a \u201cresponsible\u201d National Political Party had consistently maintained its equi-distance policy and ushered in peace in Nagaland through the Cease-fire agreements signed between the Government of India and the two NSCN factions.
\nOn integration of all Naga-inhabited areas, NPCC said the issue was not a new development as it was part of the 16-Point agreement under clause 13 and that the Congress party of Nagaland on its part had taken initiative and intensively played its role by passing resolutions on several occasions on the floor of the Assembly.
\nOn NPF\u2019s contention that it was the oldest regional political party in the State, NPCC corrected that the United Front, \u201clong buried and forgotten by the people,\u201d was the oldest regional party.
\n\u201cNPF is a new born baby, born out of political wed-lock and as usual, may transform into another nomenclature even before the next General Election,\u201d NPCC added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"