DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 13 (MExN): Chief Minister and Advisor of Naga People’s Front (NPF) Neiphiu Rio has ridiculed the manifesto of the State Congress party and said that a “divided house” like the Nagaland Congress has nothing concrete to offer to the people.
Addressing a joint election rally of the Democratic Alliance Nagaland (DAN) comprising of NPF, BJP and JD (U) here at DDSC Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, the NPF strongman held copies of manifestoes of the NPF and Congress and contrasted the two manifestoes.
Rio said whereas the Congress leaders always harped on bringing solution to Naga political issue, yet their manifesto did not reflect their sincerity towards the Naga issue but contained only the vague and lame lines that if elected to power, the state Congress party would “fully cooperate” with all sections of community for honourable settlement of the Naga issue. He remarked that even insertion of these few lines in their manifesto, the Congress must have been greatly constrained and pained.
On the other hand, the Naga issue occupies centre spot in the NPF manifesto with two pages devoted to the regional party’s sincere commitment and efforts to bring about an honourable settlement acceptable to all sections of Naga society, the Chief Minister said.
Rio also took a dig at the Congress manifesto which promised to provide laptops to students. “Why promise only laptops? Since Congress is running the government in Delhi, why don’t they promise medical and engineering colleges and other big projects? Nagas are not fools and cannot be appeased by offering lollipops”, he said.
Again referring to the cover page of the respective manifestoes, Rio said that the NPF manifesto contained photos of the regional party leaders including himself and NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie, an attestation that Naga people should chart their own political destiny.
Whereas, the Congress manifesto has photos of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson and AICC President Sonia Gandhi and her son and AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.
Rio said this was indicative of the amount of regards the Congress high command has for Naga Congress leaders. “Why don’t they put photos of state Congress leaders after all Singh, Sonia and Rahul will not be contesting in the state assembly election”, he said.
Rio said one reason might be the state Congress cannot decide on whose photo to use as they have too many leaders. “They (state Congress leaders) are still quarrelling. If they put photos of all the state Congress leaders, then there will be no space in their manifesto”, Rio said in a mocking tone, which evoked laughter from the crowd.
The Chief Minister said the NPF party has matured over the years and grown stronger with the support of the people. “In the last ten years, the DAN government has done a lot, but still lot more needs to be done”, he said.
Rio also said that with support of national other political parties like the BJP and JD (U), the NPF can do a lot more for the people of Nagaland.
National BJP General Secretary, Tapir Gaon, in his address hit out at AICC President Sonia Gandhi for accusing the DAN government of corruption and said that the Congress President was misled by state Congress leaders. Stating that Sonia has no right to point fingers at DAN government, Tapir alleged that there is “no limit to corruption” in the Congress. The BJP leader also said that when the UPA government had not given any fund to the DAN government, the Congress cannot accuse DAN of corruption.
Reminding of the benefits enjoyed by the state during the then NDA government headed by Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, Tapir also said that Vajpayee is the only Indian Prime Minister who shifted the Prime Minister Office to Nagaland for three days.
JD (U) National General Secretary and incharge North East, AK Shrivastava who also addressed the rally appealed to the public to vote for DAN for peace and development. Shrivastava also congratulated the NPF for keeping the Congress away from power in the state for last 10 years.
Referring to AICC President Sonia Gandhi’s accusation against the DAN government for corruption during her recent visit to Nagaland, the JD (U) leader alleged that corruption of the Congress party was 10 times more than the budget of Nagaland.
Shrivastava said that the people need to vote for DAN to ensure peace and prosperity in the state. He was confident that the prolonged Naga political issue would be resolved if NDA comes to power at the Centre in 2014 elections. Observing that the women in Nagaland were not given much opportunity to exhibit their talents and abilities, Shrivastava assured to look in issues of women empowerment if NDA comes to power. He congratulated the NPF for keeping the Congress out of power for the last 10 years and hoped that NPF-led DAN would bring peace and development in the state.
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