Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 25
As the campaigning window drew to a close on February 25, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee President (NPCC) K Therie called for distinguishing between the visions statements of the Indian National Congress and the BJP.
Addressing a press conference in Dimapur, Saturday afternoon, Therie claimed that the Congress’ stand on pressing issues Nagas has been made clear as opposed to the BJP. “We also have witnessed lot of national leaders addressing several election rallies, wherein the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President, Mallikarjun Kharge and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi have also addressed the audience… the AICC President has made things very clear that he will uphold the aspiration of the people of Nagaland,” said Therie. According to him, the Congress is clear on upholding Article 371 (A) and implementing the “agreed political solution” if the party is given an opportunity in 2024. He added that Kharge, during his campaign rally on February 21, had elaborated at length about the Congress vision “which is our promise our commitment to the people.”
On the contrary, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign address, on February 24, as bereft of substance. He accused Modi of being indifferent to the interest of the Nagas and that he had forgotten his promise to settle the Naga political problem. The Modi government has only widened the gap between the rich and the poor, while neglecting the basic amenities required for development in Nagaland.
He said, “In this situation, the only party which has committed to implement the agreed political solution is the Congress. The only party which has committed to uphold the integrity of Nagaland, the only party that has committed to restore governance is the Congress. No other political party has concern about law and order and resolving the political issue.”
Predicting a fractured mandate on March 2, he said that there would be infighting between the NDPP-BJP alliance and its partners. “I am confident that the BJP and alliance will land into trouble after a few months. It is not going to be a comfortable government,” he said. In the event of such a situation, he was confident of secular-minded parties coming together to provide an alternative to the people. As made amply clear by Kharge, he said that the Congress and non-BJP parties will return to power in 2024 and “Congress will also have a government here in Nagaland.”
According to him, it was not too late to make a decision and appealed to the voters to not be disheartened and “vote for what you really want, for what change you want to see.”
While stating that he 1 Dimapur I Assembly seat, where he is contesting, is no more than a slum area, he said that the constituency lacks the basics like water supply, roads, drainage, and waste management. He criticized the Nagaland government for not showing any concern despite complaints from the people.
