‘Money, muscle and gun power brought back NPF-led DAN govt’
Ashikho Pfuzhe
Kohima | March 16
Nagaland State Congress party today said that the NPF-led DAN government must admit that it has come back to power through money, muscle and gun power.
Taking part in the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on the third day of the first session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the eight Congress legislators sought amendments to the Governor’s address.
Initiating the debate, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Tokheho Yepthomi said the opening paragraph of the Governor’s address “The fact that NPF has come back with a thumping majority is an indication of the faith reposed in the NPF-led DAN Government by the people of Nagaland”, is far from the truth.
Rather, the NPF should admit that it has come back to power through sheer money and muscle power, Tokheho said and added that there is “stigma” attached to the “thumping majority.” He cited the cases of seizure of arms and cash from two NPF candidates including former Home minister Imkong L Imchen by the Assam Rifles in the just concluded election to back his argument.
The Congress leader also expressed shock that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had re-inducted Imkong Imchen into the ministry even after such serious breach of election conduct.
He questioned how the government would enforce law of the land when the Chief Minister could not take corrective measures against one of his own ministers who have been committing “irregularities after irregularities.”
On DAN’s reiteration of its commitment to facilitate a speedy and honorable resolution to the Naga political issue, the Congress party said that though the DAN government had assured to bring settlement “within three months”, yet 10 years have passed without any solution in sight.
“In 2006, Rio said that the Naga peace talks were going in the right direction. Is it now going in the left direction?” Tokheho asked. He said that the government of the day (DAN) should have good relations with major national political parties and neighboring states if it was really sincere to solve the Naga issue.
The Congress leader also alleged that NPF was in the habit of “swallowing its own colleagues” and cautioned DAN coalition partners that the NPF would swallow them like a python.
Further, Tokheho alleged that the only benefit Nagaland state could get under Article 371 (A) for the past 10 years of DAN rule was naming the state as “Land of Festivals” and “Road Shows.”
Hukavi Zhimomi (INC), Parliamentary Secretary for RD & REPA, CL John (NPF), MLA Imtikumzuk (INC), Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Benjongliba (NPF) and Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation & Flood Control, Vikheho Swu (NPF) also took part in the debate. The debate will resume Monday.
