Kohima, February 2 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) issued a rejoinder countering the stand of The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) issue.
The NPF in a press release issued by its Press Bureau slammed the statement of the “NDPP claiming the PDA coalition had never supported the CAB at any point of time.” It alleged that the PDA government has reiterated their stance “not only once or twice but thrice not to oppose the Bill quoting Article 371A as a blanket protection.”
However, with the Naga public rejecting the bill and boycotting the Republic day, made the PDA “surrender to the will of the people at the eleventh hour,” it alleged claiming that it was on January 28, that they decided to oppose the Bill “out of pressure.”
The NPF further slammed the consultative meeting on January 31 stating that it was only “to garner the attention and sympathy of the Naga people.” It also reminded the ruling government that during the meeting, “most of the NGOs and Tribal Hohos questioned the PDA Government for convening such meeting after its Cabinet had on two occasions decided not to oppose the Bill.”
Further reacting on the subsequent question to the Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang who was the Chief Minister during that period, on his role when the Bill came up in the Lok Sabha (LS) in the year 2016, the NPF said that the “NDPP should not forget that Neiphiu Rio was the sitting MP in the LS when the Bill was introduced in the house.”
The release further reminded the NDPP that “Article 371 A cannot override the Indian Constitution, and has nothing to do with the Citizenship Amendment Bill,”
The NPF reiterated their stand for the Nagas from the onslaught of the CAB from day one, stating it has never wavered on its determined decision to protect and safeguard the future of the Nagas.
The opposition further called upon the people of the state to come out in the open against the constant shifting of ‘blame game’ being played by the NDPP, stating that the people were the best judge.
On the “threat issued to its President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu by NDPP over the issue of Tokheho’s vote in the Lok Sabha favoring the bill, the NPF stated that “it will come out with all evidences as being asked for and also asked the NDPP to be ready with their side of evidence that Tokheho has not voted in favor of the Bill on January 8 when it was passed in the Lok Sabha.”
It further claimed that the “Naga people have given their largest mandate to the NPF and not NDPP” in the last general election, stating that “today 26 NPF MLAs has become the strongest opposition in the 13th NLA.”
The NPF meanwhile “advised the NDPP to be committed and concentrate on the people’s welfare programme instead of indulging in paper wars.”
