Dimapur, March 4 (MExN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) today recalled on the recently concluded 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly session.
A communiqué issued by its Media & Communication Committee feted Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for passing a people’s budget for the year 2019-20 one that is people centric and youth oriented with a vision towards the all-round development of the State through transparency, accountability and good governance.
It also called the role of the opposition “a pre-requisite for a government to function and deliver to the people” and hoped that the same spirit is continued in future sessions.
It then recalled memories of the last four years of the 12th House that functioned without opposition adding that it allowed “the government to function without being accountable and responsible to the people due to the absence of an opposition bench.”
The NDPP also appreciated Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang to have apologized, remarking “as a leader of the people, one must take care of what one says keeping in mind issues that are sensitive to the society.”
Expressing that it was unfortunate on the part of the opposition to stage two walkouts on February 23 and 24 during question hour, the NDPP stated that the NPF “refused to listen to the answers they themselves had put to the government thus also denying people’s right of knowing the activities of the government.”
“It is amusing that the opposition party have stated in the local dailies that the government could not give proper replies.”
The NDPP also observed that “the opposition NPF on the February 22 and 26 allowed a Minister to give replies to starred and supplementary questions pertaining to another department, having been authorised by the Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of that department.”
“However, on February 23 and 25, when another Minister stood to reply questions pertaining another department, the opposition began to object by questioning the validity of the authorisation of the CM and staged walk outs despite detailed explanations.”
The NDPP lamented the attitude and behavior of the opposition MLAs who used derogatory terms against the Speakers chair and ridiculed the slogan “Change is coming”.
The NDPP, on the CAB issue substantiated that the resolution brought by the government was in accordance with the resolution passed at the consultative meet held at Chümoukedima on January 31 attended by all Tribal Hohos, CSOs, prominent personalities. It said that the resolution that “Nagaland is a political state formed out of the 16 point Agreement and accordingly Article 371A of the Constitution of India protects and safeguards the rights and privileges of the citizens of Nagaland” was unanimously endorsed by all the participants of the meeting.
“It is incomprehensible of the continued stand of the opposition NPF that Article 371A does not protect us since without Article 371A, there is no Nagaland,” it condemned.
It lamented the decision of the NPF MLAs not to be part of the resolution passed on February 25.
The NDPP also put on record the cooperation of the BJP, JD(U) and the Independent party for supporting the resolution in rejecting the CAB “on the grounds that Article 371A protects us from the said Bill.”
“This has once again proved that the PDA government stands united and strong and exposes the continued allegations of the opposition that there are cracks in the Alliance,” it added.
“We also appeal to all citizens through the length and breadth of Nagaland to remain steadfast and strong in our committed and continued stand that the provisions of Article 371A encompasses all things towards the protection of our rights and privileges.”
