• For alliance of ‘secular forces’ against NPF-BJP
•‘Confusion over election created by GoI’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 10
Quite literally a pariah in the Nagaland political playground presently, the Congress has signalled a move to make amends with the party’s former legislators. the All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary, Dr. K. Jayakumar held out the olive branch to former comrades, who went looking for greener pasture joining the ruling NPF.
Dr. Jayakumar made the call at a press conference in Dimapur on January 10. Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president K. Therie and Congress faithfuls - KL Chishi and ET Ezung were also in attendance.
“Everyone is expected to come back to the party. All orders, actions against them stand revoked. Whatever be the past… let us forget the past. Our only aim is to save Nagaland from the divisive forces…” said the AICC secretary, who holds charge of Nagaland. “Whosoever has gone out of the party (including other party workers) should return,”he added.
Tossing the option of a common front to go against the NPF-BJP alliance, he said that the Congress is open to align with “secular forces.” Asked whether the NPCC has made any overtures for a pre-poll alliance, Therie responded that it is willing to tie up with any party that does not subscribe to the BJP-RSS ideology. He mentioned the NDPP, Nagaland Congress and AAP as the likely parties or the other “secular forces” with which the Congress can align while adding, “We should come together and we will come together.”
Dr. Jayakumar described the current political scenario in the country as aligned into two blocs – the liberal and secular forces represented by the Congress and its allies and the communal and anti-minority forces represented by the BJP and its allies.
Hitting out at the BJP’s ‘sole agenda’ to implement the RSS’ “philosophy of one nation, one religion and one food habit,” he urged the people of Nagaland to be mindful of its “divisive politics” if election is held as scheduled.
The Congress’ main development priorities in Nagaland are infrastructure and employment of the youth, he said promising to wipe out over 1.5 lakh unemployed youth in two years time if Congress is voted to power. “Accordingly, infrastructure and the industrial sector will be activated,” he said while stating that the priority will also be on connecting all districts with good roads, ensuring health insurance and implementing Lokayukta.
“Everybody wants change. That is our hope,” added Therie while stating the Congress would bank on the people’s desire for change. On the question mark over the conduct of election, Therie said, “We want solution at the earliest. Our preference is solution not election. That is clear. But if election is announced we will participate.” The “confusion,” he added was the creation of the Centre’s repeated assurance of a solution “soon” with no attribution of a definite time frame.
Dr. Jayakumar credited the Indian National Congress for the inking of the Framework Agreement between the NSCN-IM and the GoI. “The Congress party was dedicated to bring this Agreement; unfortunately, we could not due to various reasons.”He said that the BJP was able to work it out riding on the groundwork of the Congress. “(Three years on) nothing has come through,” he added.
He appreciated “the other groups” (NNPG), who have come to the negotiating table and appealed to the NSCN-K and others, who has yet been hesitant to join in the talks.
