BJP state unit handling of Vajpayee's ashes immersion issue 'very unfortunate,' says NPF
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 27
Naga People's Front (NPF) today argued that the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s Independence Day speech which dwelt on taking steps to end VIP culture, have not proven in action.
The PDA government has said that that they are doing away with VIP culture but in action they have not proven so, said NPF spokesperson Achumbemo Kikon while addressing a press conference.
He said that the NPF have not seen any step being taken so far on transparency and accountability.
On the Independence Day speech for ensuring better roads, repair of all major roads in all the districts, Kikon said that when PDA formed the government on March 8 this year, they promised to repair all the roads within 60 days, but they have totally failed to do so even after entering 173 days today.
Kikon said that what NPF has only seen in this past not even 6 months since the formation of the PDA government, is multiple agitations from various corners. “Instead of giving us good roads, instead of giving us transparency and accountability in the government functioning what we have seen so far is a lot of discrepancies in the governance,” he said.
On law and order situation, he expressed concern over the reported kidnap of four lane construction workers, saying that it has hampered the progress of the construction of four-lane Kohima-Dimapur road.
“When people are not even secure within the range of Dimapur and Kohima where government forces in the form of IRB or policemen can be easily deputed, then what do we expect people living the remote areas to be safe and sound,” he said.
On ULB issue, Kikon viewed that if election to the municipal and town council are to be held, a proper consensus have to be drawn amongst the various Naga tribal bodies, then only government has to take this issue forward.
He said that the NPF having 26 legislators have to be taken into full confidence while taking up this issue apart from others.
On release of grant-in-aid to VDBs, Kikon said that it was the NPF led DAN government under the leadership of TR Zeliang, a special request was made to NITI Aayog to give special grants because the state was not able to manage state matching grant at that point of time.
Then, NITI Aayog was gracious to grant Rs 185.09 core on November 8, 2017. When NPF led DAN was in power, they were trying to disburse the same amount along with tractors to all the 60 A/Cs. But when the process was on, ECI announced the schedule for state assembly election which was followed by enforcement of the model code of conduct, he said.
Under such circumstances, he said, the grant-in-aid to VDB could not be disbursed to the villages, he said. He continued that all credit must go to the NPF led DAN government under the leadership of TR Zeliang on release of grant in aid to VDBs.
On facing hardship due to shortage of essential commodities in many parts of the remote areas, he said it is the bounden duty of the government of the day to immediately restore the roads.
“Enforcement and re-enforcement has to be taken. Timely action has to be taken and the people in the remote areas should be provided with essential commodities,” he said.
“We feel that PDA government is not doing enough on this count also,” he said.
Regarding immersion of Vajpayee’s ashes in Nagaland, he said former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee was a very renowned leader, highly respected by one all, adding that he deserve highest respect from all of us.
When he (Vajpayee) was in command of BJP, NPF has a very cordial relationship with the party, said Kikon adding that the state is grateful to him as it was during his time even special grants were given to the state. He (Vajpayee) also recognized the uniqueness of the Naga political history.
He lamented that the way BJP state unit in Nagaland was handling the issue was something very unfortunate. “They should know that Nagas are emotional people. We are also very different people from others. Therefore our sentiment should have been respected,” Kikon said.
In fact, he said, they (BJP) have been stating all through that BJP has nothing to do with any religion because it is a political party.
He reminded them that they are a national political party and they should remain as a political party. They should not mix up with the religious rituals or ceremonies.
“I think this BJP in a way is deviating from the way a political party should function,” he said adding that if this trend continues, it is not good for the political party in a democracy like India where we all have to distinguish our role from religious activities.
He said since we enjoy certain rights under Article 371 (A) where our religion, customary practices and natural resources are protected, so people have every reason to feel provoked and feel bad and that is how we have seen reactions and responses from churches and social forums.
“It is unfortunate that BJP leadership without realizing the counter consequences of what will happen,” he said.
The way they are trying to do with the ashes of one of the great leader of India is something which they should have actually analyze carefully and then only that they should have taken step, he said. We should not make it a controversy way, he said adding there are various ways to show respect.
