A section of the crowd at the INC public rally at DDSC Stadium, Dimapur on Wednesday. (Morung Photo)
AICC president Rahul Gandhi address public rally in Dimapur
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 3
“I stand with you (Nagas) in deeds and the Indian National Congress is not going to allow the history and identity of the Naga people to be crushed,” said AICC President Rahul Gandhi addressing a full capacity crowd at DDSC Stadium on Wednesday.
“Your heritage, language and culture is your strength and it is India’s strength as well,” he further said and added that the Congress recognizes the culture, history and beliefs of every state in the country. He assured the Naga people that the Congress would work to ensure that nobody attacks their language, culture and spirit.
Referring to BJP government’s objective of imposing its ideology all over the country, Rahul described it as “sheer arrogance” and said it was not the duty of the government to tell the people how to live their life. “When Naga people or any other people are not allowed to express itself and aspirations, it is not India,” he added.
On the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Rahul said the Congress clearly understood the sentiments of the NE people and other parts of the country and had managed to stop passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha. “CAB is a threat to the idea of the NE and the country and we (Congress) are going to defend your way of life and culture and there is no compromise on that,” he said.
Attacking the Modi government for scrapping the Northeast Industrial Policy, Planning Commission and removing special status to Nagaland, the AICC President said all these rights would be “given back” to the people once the Congress comes to power.
“Whatever Modi has taken from you, we will give it back to you since it is your right,” he assured. Referring to Modi’s recent prefix “Chowkidar Modi,” Rahul said the Chowkidar has become a “Chor” “stealing” thousands of crores of rupees meant for the poor and giving it to 15 powerful persons in the country. Among the 15 persons, he mentioned a few in the persons of Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and others.
Rahul said the Congress think tank had worked for six months on how much the Indian government could give money to those citizens earning less than Rs 12, 000 per month and ultimately worked out that Rs 72, 000 could be given to those sections of citizens in a year. He said the Congress was not making promises that could not be fulfilled but a workable commitment. “We are going to carry out a surgical strike on poverty and prove that we can give money to the poor,” Rahul said.
Accusing Modi of derailing Indian economy through various policies such as GST and demonitisation, Rahul said, “We (Congress) will pull you out of demonitisation and Gabbar Singh Tax (Goods and Services Tax) and get back our economy on track.” He assured the people of one tax, minimum tax and simple tax if his party comes to power.
On the Naga issue, Rahul admitted that it was a “complex issue” but gave a commitment to listen to all the stakeholders with love and affection and resolve the issue as soon as possible. “I give you my commitment to help resolve the issue in whatever way I can,” he said.
To the struggling youngsters and entrepreneurs in the state where permission had to be obtained from various departments to start any business, Rahul said no such permission would be necessary for the initial three years once the Congress comes to power.
Rahul also made a remark about the road condition in the state and described it as “shameful,” and promised “good infrastructure” it returns to power. He expressed the hope that Nagaland would send a Congress MP to the state adding, “I intend to help you fulfil your goal.”
Delivering the welcome address, NPCC President, K. Therie thanked the NPF for supporting a secular candidate (INC).
Leader of Opposition and former CM, T.R. Zeliang said that the Nagas were grateful to the Congress for stopping passage of CAB in the Parliament thereby protecting the rights of the minorities. He said the NPF had decided to support the Congress to form a combined secular force to defeat the communal force.
Rajya Sabha MP, K.G Kenye said that the people of the region would cooperate with any policy that is conducive for the country but added that the region would be the first to raise voice against communal policies.
Earlier, before Rahul arrived, a host of leaders including ex-Candidate, K.K. Sema; NPF General Secretary, Phushika Awomi; NPF Secretary, Rajesh Sethi; NPF Minority Wing Chairman, Bishnu Bhattacharjee, G.K. Rengma and others addressed the crowd.
Other dignitaries present during the rally included, former state chief minister and governor of Odhisa, Dr. S.C. Jamir, AICC NE in-charge, Luizinho Faleiro and a host of NPF MLAs. Nagaland GB Federation and Unorganized Domestic Workers also attended the rally.
Interestingly, the Congress LS Candidate, K.L Chishi was not allotted time to speak.
