DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Youth Organisation has expressed surprise at recent statements made by the senior NPF party leaders, including its President, Secretary General and its Legislature Party leader, who “claimed that the candidates who contested in NPF seats are real Nagas.”
“This statement is a direct insult and demeaning to each and every candidate who participated in the recent elections.
Such attitude also demeans the electorates and all the citizens of the State. The NPF’s absurd claim that it is the only regional party in Nagaland explains the mentality of its leadership,” the NDPP Youth Organisation stated.
It stated that the NDPP has emerged as the “only viable regional political party in Nagaland.” “This is not a claim of the Party but a reflection of the Naga people’s mandate and the voice of the masses,” it said.
The NDPP Youth Organisation said that the NPF contested only a handful of seats and won in only two seats in the recent assembly elections. “They had given up even before the polls as they had no chance of forming the government since they had no possibility of reaching a majority on their own, nor did they have any alliance with any political party.
The manner in which they have written off the mandate of the people is an insult on the democratic process and a disrespect to every member of Nagaland’s electorate, including those who voted for the NPF,” it added.
It further reminded the NPF that in 2019, despite having several MLAs, it failed to even field a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections, but rather extended support to the Congress Party candidate, even though it has a history of opposing the Congress and its policies for decades.
“The NPF president had weirdly claimed that a party which has an alliance with a national party is not a regional party.
Did the NPF not withdraw its candidature and allied with the Congress and extended full support to the Congress party in 2019, going to the extent of sharing the platform with Rahul Gandhi? So in his vocabulary, is the NPF a regional party?” it questioned.
It asked the NPF leadership to question themselves on the reasons why they have been “rejected by the Naga people.”
As for the NDPP, it asserted that the party’s “vision, aims and objectives and our ideology is crystal clear.” “The NDPP is a regional party that is deep rooted with the Naga people. We are a political party that is regional in character and spirit, with a national outlook and we are also a party that has policies, programmes and visions that are in tune with global realities. We carry the voice and desire of the Naga people and our topmost agenda is honourable resolution of the Naga political imbroglio in a peaceful, democratic and inclusive manner,” it said.
Further, the NDPP Youth Organisation said that the party’s highlighted policies include promotion of Naga culture, preservation of age old traditions and internationalisation of the tourism industry through the policy of ‘Land of Festivals.’
“Constantly pushing Brand Nagaland to the national and international community through Naga Soft Power remains our daily aspiration,” it added.
It further said that the NDPP has forged alliances and partnerships with other national political parties based on mutual trust and collaboration – “so that we can find roadmaps for development and progress for our entire state in an equitable manner.” “In today’s day and age, nobody can survive in isolation. This is why we are a regional political party that has a national outlook,” it noted.
Further the party said that it’s “vision is to make positive contributions to humanity through global causes.” “Protection of the environment, presentation of our rich bio-diversity, working towards gender equality where women are equal partners in all round progress of society, supporting action plans that address climate change, standing up for human rights, secularism and tolerance, inclusivity in society, combating racism and supporting diversity are mandated in the manifesto and the Party Constitution,” it added.
It further said that the party exemplifies the “today and the tomorrow of Naga society and we make serious efforts everyday to be the political party that is the cutting edge of our society.” “We reflect the new found energy and the global ambition of the emerging generations of the Naga people. Towards this aspiration, every Naga citizen across our homeland and beyond are equal partners and respected stakeholders. We are proud Nagas and carry the Naga aspirations that has stood the test of time since time immemorial,” the party stated.
