DIMAPUR, MARCH 19 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee today alleged that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio “hiding behind the façade of the state BJP unit to justify his outburst against the congress in the language of sectarian and communal forces portrays political opportunism.” The NPCC, in a press note, stated that “instead of publicly declaring his stand on the five core questions put forth by the NPCC, the CM has left it to the state BJP unit to come up with hilarious explanations, especially on anti conversion laws and ban on cow slaughter.”
Referring to the BJP statement published recently, the NPCC said that “the state BJP leaders are either ignorant of the core issues” or have “blindly chosen to play alongside the divisive and communal agenda of the RSS backed BJP in the misplaced hope of sharing the spoils of power.” It reminded that minorities in the BJP “are just used as the façade to hide sinister and divisive agenda that the BJP harbors since its inception, while desperately attempting to project a moderate picture to expand their political base and get a clear majority.”
The NPCC further stated that the “BJP could not carry out its divisive agenda owing to the compulsion of coalition politics with over a dozen allies forming NDA.” “However, the BJP leaders have never missed an opportunity to reiterate their commitment on the issues of anti conversion laws; building of Ram Temple in Ayodhya; Total ban on cow slaughter; Uniform Civil Code and abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, if voted to power with clear majority,” it added.
It further criticized the ideology and activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which it said “is even despised by majority of the Hindu populace for its divisive and communal agenda.” The NPCC further acknowledged that “for the magnanimity of the majority Hindus,” the country has survived countless invasions and absorbed innumerable religions and cultures to evolve into a vast diverse country of today that has enough rooms for all people regardless of religion, race/ethnicity, language and culture.
“The congress as a political party does not identify itself with any religion whereas the BJP draws all its inspiration from the RSS, known more for its divisive and communal agenda and this will remain the main difference between the Congress and the BJP. Unless the BJP severs its ideological moorings with the RSS, it can never escape the ignominy of being branded as communal party,” the NPCC asserted.
The NPCC press note further accused the NPF government of financial mismanagement, with regard to the state’s financial situation. It stated that the NPF government “has invited the attention of the centre by years of rampant financial mismanagement.” The NPCC informed that the state government is yet to submit utilization report of nearly Rs 700 crores, out of Rs 2000 crores plan money allocated for 2012-13 and that “this has affected the annual plan allocation for 2013-14.” It further stated that the state government has “failed to even release the 10% matching share for all central flagship schemes, thereby delaying release of central share.” It then called upon the Chief Minister to “publicly come out” with his stand on the issues raised by the NPCC.