Kohima, April 2 (MExN): Intensifying its campaign with only few days left for the state to go to polls, Congress today slammed Naga People’s Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government for the ever increasing graft and complete halt of development in the state, according to a press release.
Addressing public rallies in Longleng and Mokokchung, Congress candidate KV Pusa criticized the DAN government accusing them of corruption and emptying the state coffer. He stated that the condition of the people have reached the “lowest ebb” due to corruption and bad governance by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also contesting the Lok Sabha polls.
Pusa cited the examples of state government’s inability to pay the salaries of Government teachers for the last couples of months, non-regularization of work-charged government employees despite assurance given to them before the last state general election, backdoor appointment of thousands of people, passing a resolution against granting of 33% reservation to women in the state assembly. He termed Rio’s DAN as anti-women and anti-poor government.
The congress candidate also highlighted some of the promises of the Congress such as 100 crore jobs for educated unemployed youth in the country, empowerment of women, health care and education for all, bank account for all, and a soft loan upto Rs. 1 lakh especially for women.
The Congress leader also castigated former Lok Sabha MP, CM Chang and Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi for siphoning off public funds. The release stated that a document obtained through RTI had revealed that from 2009-2013, the two MPs had “grossly” misused the funds leaving most of the districts untouched by the MPLADS. Pusa said the two MPs had withdrawn funds without implementing any projects. In this, he questioned the conscience of the people whether they were still ready to vote for such people.
He further alleged that all flagship programmes were rampantly misused by the state government.
Meanwhile, addressing a huge rally in Mokokchung, Pusa asserted that the 2014 Parliamentary Election is a fight between secular and communal, divisive politics and inclusive politics, a fascist organization and purely democratic organization. He appealed to the voters of Mokokchung district to “lead us into light as we not only fight this election for political or power's sake but for the protection and larger interest of minorities in India.” He urged to vote for Congress “to defeat the Hindutva fanatics who have been subjugating Christians.”
Criticizing the DAN-BJP alliance, Pusa further stated BJP is the political wing of RSS. “Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an outfit under RSS is responsible for carrying out a thousand of atrocities against Christians, terming them as a westeners! Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKS), another outfit of RSS is responsible for converting tribal and adivasi Christians into Hindu through coercion.”
Pusa also assured the electorates of the state equal distribution of funds and inclusive development “unlike the ruling DAN which has ruled the state for the last 11 years with favoritism.” He was confident of UPA coming back to power with thumping majority. He asked people not to be carried away by false propaganda unleashing by the BJP and the NPF.
Z. Lohe, former Assembly Speaker and former Advisor to Chief Minister Rio who accompanied the Congress candidate also spoke in the rallies. He alleged that Rio is trying to run away from the state due to rampant corruption he has created.
