NPCC President, K Therie speaking during the press conference in Kohima on August 11. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | August 11
Against the backdrop of the Rising People Party’s (RPP) report of a proposed merger between the NDPP and BJP, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has also come out claiming that an “offer was given and assured” for merger of NDPP and BJP after the state election in 2023.
Briefing media persons this morning at its office, NPCC President, K Therie alleged a ‘merger deal’ between the negotiating leaders was made to merge after the election. “Seat negotiating leaders have assured that after election, they will join BJP because before the election, if they join BJP, then the Christian society may not vote for them.”
Even as there was “misunderstanding and miscommunication” within the BJP over the seat sharing agreement, Therie claimed that “they (BJP) have withdrawn their statement and made a u-turn supporting the deal” as the aggrieved party was made known of the ‘offer made’ to merge after the election by the party higher ups.
“Offer was given to BJP that’s why BJP was happy,” claimed Therie, which according to him made the BJP withdraw their statement. He also informed that the election is likely to be advanced by about three months ahead in December.
Merger ‘alarming’
Terming the merger as ‘alarming’, Therie maintained that the BJP wants to have a government in Nagaland, and that “Nagaland will be one of the first Christian states where BJP government will be installed.”
“This will be symbolic before the world for those who know Nagaland, so also, it will a saving face for BJP in front of the world,” said Therie.
He also alleged that the objective of forming a BJP government is more important than settlement of Naga political issue in Nagaland for the present leaders in government, both state and central government, at the cost of the Naga people.
Therie went on to allege that for the BJP at the centre, the “ceasefire is the solution and not settlement,” and that the “state government is supporting the central government and Nagas outside Nagaland.”
“It is the Nagas of Nagaland who suffer and they want us to continue to suffer here in our own land,” claimed Therie, adding “25 years have passed with nothing happening and it isn’t likely to happen.”
“After formation of the BJP government, do you think they will resign and pave the way?” asked the state Congress President, adding that these are all ‘treacherous betrayal and lies.’ He also opined that “once we have a BJP government in the state, no MLA will resign and settlement of the Naga political issue will die on its own.”
Divisions under present CM
Making serious allegations against Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, Therie said Nagaland under his rule is divided by tribalism, factions and religion.
“He is promoting all these with the support of his MLAs. He is the person responsible for dividing all the factions, tribal and section of classes including religion divide in Nagaland,” he alleged.
Therie also maintained that the 48 regional party MLAs could form the government, desert the BJP and stand for the people of Nagaland. However, he said “numbers of MLAs are valueless,” adding that the MLAs have ‘surrendered.’
“The MLAs are scared and are money idols. They are muted because of money, and there is none to stand for the Nagas of Nagaland,” Therie said.
Nagas must make a decision
Stating that the Congress party is worried for the future of Nagaland, Therie urged that Nagas to make a decision on whether “we should have a BJP government in Nagaland or should we have a secular government in Nagaland.”
Affirming that he has nothing personal against any of the 60 MLAs, Therie said, “Congress is worried about the future of Nagaland – of its image and identity, and the fate of the Nagas.”
Acknowledging that Congress is at its low now, he however said that the party continues to believe in “freedom and secularism.” He added that the party will field candidates in all the 60 constituencies in the coming election.
Urging the people, Therie maintained “if we don’t change, we may no longer have our Nagaland.” “We need to bring back good culture and decency in society,” he said.
