DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 28 (MExN): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s charge against the DAN Government as being responsible for ‘dividing the Naga people’ on tribal, communal and racial lines, is considered a violation of the model code of conduct by the NPF. The NPF today demanded appropriate action from the Election Commission of India. In a release, the NPF party said the accusation deserves special attention from the EC. It has sought immediate and appropriate action for inciting tribalism and communalism. The NPF party expressed shock at what it terms “the contradictory statement” of Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday at Kohima. The NPF stated that the accusation made by the prime minister in terming the DAN coalition as a “hotch potch” government, only showed his lack of understanding and knowledge of the state of affairs in Nagaland. Compared to the UPA Government supported by the Left at the Centre, the DAN coalition was more stable and progressive. “Such loose statement from a man of his stature is very unbecoming” NPF stated.
The release issued jointly by vice president Zaka Tsukru, general secretary Dr. Kath, associate press secretary Shilumar and president of youth Wing Kakuto Shohe reminded that UPA was formed after the 2004 general election “just to seize power after the Congress party lost miserably.” UPA is a post-poll coalition with 14 parties having no common agenda, it stated.
However, DAN, it said, is a pres-poll alliance in 2002 with clear Common Minimum Program which was release on January 30, 2003 by the then Defense Minister George Fernandes.
The NPF also thanked the Prime Minister for admitting that Nagaland has missed opportunities in terms of progress and prosperity and said that due to the insincerity and hypocritical approach of the UPA Government , DAN could not avail and implement the promise and commitments made by the then Prime Minister Vajpayee and various other proposals. It challenged the UPA Government that if it was serious and concerned for the Nagas, they should spell out in detail, the missed opportunities.
The regional party also questions the speech of the prime minister on the commitment of Indira, Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi to the well being and empowerment of the Nagas when the fact remains that during the tenures i.e. 1975, 1988, 1992 and 2008, Nagaland had experienced four Presidents’ Rule. The NPF also dismissed the various programmes and schemes by the PM as mere lip service to purchase the votes. The PM should know that Nagas are not mere commodities to be sold and used. The NPF appealed to the Nagas to give a befitting reply to the Congress for insulting Naga pride and dignity by imposing PR ‘illegally and unconstitutionally’. The party went on to say that if the Congress led UPA Government had so much concern for the Naga people, what had the Prime Minister doing during the last four years and why had he come to campaign only during the elections.
In addition the NPF turned its guns on K. Therie’s accusation that Rio, Thenucho, Lohe and Timikha had gone to Hebron Camp on February 22. This is pure fabrication meant to mislead the public, the party said. The NPF provided proof that on the said day, Rio had attended meetings at Chare village, Tuensang town and spent the night at Tuensang town and then again addressed NPF rallies at Tuensang, Noksen and Ungma the next day. The NPF advises Therie to stop ‘hallucinating.’ Therie should substantiate his allegations with proper evidence. Countering back, the party stated that Therie had on February 29 at 3 AM, with a group of ‘army,’ led by supporters terrorized civilians of Pfutsero village by grouping them at the village Church. “Was this operation carried out at the behest and directive of the Prime Minister following his visit to Nagaland?” the NPF questioned.
Regarding Imkong’s charge of withdrawal of 340 crore from the state exchequer and 92 crore on 22 December, the release said that DAN leader, Rio had already issued a detailed press statement of January 10 to that effect. It stated that till the imposition of PR on January 3, 2008, the state Government had no overdraft with the RBI, instead the state government had a surplus balance of a little ore than 90 crore in its RBI account from 13 to 31 December, 2007. An amount of 175.15 crore was withdrawn from the Government Treasury by various departments in the course of normal transaction, which includes payments on accounts of Centrally sponsored schemes, state plans, payments of arrears, salaries of work charge employees and 22 crore for LADP fund, it stated. The NPF pointed out that given the fact that the annual budget of the state is 3983 crore, the average monthly expenditure is around 332 crore, therefore the withdrawal of 175.15 crore by various departments during 13 to 30 December 2007 is absolutely nothing unusual. “These baseless allegations are the usual attitude of the Congress party” it stated and advised the public not to be misled and confused by such false statement.
