Bonnie Konyak
Kohima | February 27
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s maiden address to the Nagas at the state capital Kohima today was a full 25 minutes of ‘DAN bashing’ that dissected and put out for display, the ‘failures’ of the “hotchpotch coalition”. The speech of the Prime Minister gained fiery momentum and packed punch after punch at Rio’s Government as he sought support of the people of Nagaland to “change the ineffective and inefficient DAN government” which has completely failed the people of Nagaland.
Speaking on the peace process, the Prime Minister elaborated on the need for peace in the State and expressed optimism that the Congress will succeed in its efforts for an honourable solution in its “purposeful dialogue” with “disaffected groups”. “We have been open and liberal in our approach and are hopeful that we will succeed in our efforts for an honourable solution” and added that the Congress is “willing to go the extra mile for this purpose”.
Nagaland needs an era of peace and stability so that the Naga people can devote all their energies to their cultural, educational, social and economic development”, Manmohan said and finished off on an optimistic note with “I believe the future for Nagaland is bright. I believe the future for Nagaland is secure. I believe the future for Nagaland is with the Congress party”
Denounces DAN as ‘hotchpotch coalition’
Addressing the impressible gathering of Congress supporters, Manmohan minced no words as he said that for the last five years, Nagaland has been under a hotchpotch coalition of different political parties under the name DAN. “They do not have a common ideology. They do not have a common agenda. Each one of them pulls in a different direction” asserted the Prime Minister adding that the only thing common among the coalition partners was the desire to be in power (by hook or crook)”.
Manmohan Singh also rapped the erstwhile DAN Government on the law and order front saying that the people have suffered from the lawlessness here. “A government which could not provide security to its people has no right to get the support of the people” said the Prime Minister. He also accused Rio’s government of trying to divide the people on tribal, communal or racial lines with the result that in the last five years, Nagaland had missed out immense opportunities and fallen behind on the road to progress and prosperity, unable to enjoy peace and stability.
In typical campaign style, the prime Minister advertised the Congress party saying if the Nagas have to once again enjoy rapid development, peaceful life, if Nagaland is to fulfill its potential, “you must once again bring the Congress party to power in the state”. He said that the Congress alone can provide a stable, united and efficient government, deliver its promises and live up to the trust that the people of Nagaland repose on it.
Harping on the “special concern” shown by the Nehru-Gandhi family to the Nagas and the state of Nagaland, Manmohan said that it was because of their commitment and unquestioned love for the Naga people that the Nagas have always supported the Congress. Making an obvious dig at the BJP party which is a coalition partner of the DAN, Manmohan said that Congress is the only national party that cares for the diversity that exist in India and the only party that has tried to bring the peoples of Nagaland and North East into the mainstream while at the same time protecting their unique history, culture and identity. “No other party believed and practices the principles of secularism as we do” he stated.
Imkong charges DAN of ‘misrule’
CLP Leader I. Imkong was also in his element as he welcomed and thanked the Prime Minister for his concern for the state. He mentioned the concern of the UPA Government in constituting a ministerial team directly under the Prime Minister himself to negotiate with the NSCN (IM) and declaring peace with the NSCN (K) and magnanimously allotting huge amount of money to Nagaland for developmental works irrespective of party affiliation. Imkong however added that it was “unfortunate” that all these funds were misused and pocketed by the erstwhile DAN Government led by Rio and his colleagues.
Imkong also elaborated on the “last five of misrule by the NPF led DAN Government” trademarked by the frequent factional clashes in populated civilian areas, extortion, corruption while the state government shut their eyes and made the people suffer. “The Regional Parties were out of power for so long and when they got the power, they had forgotten everybody and virtually looted the State, he mocked. Imkong flayed the road condition, selling of essential commodities in the market by Rio and the power situation while assuring that if voted to power the Congress would make power available to every nook and corner of Nagaland.
Imkong also question the promise of 25000 employment generation for Naga Youth promised by former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and continued that the development preached by the DAN could be seen only in the resorts, commercial buildings, hotels and residential complexes of the DAN Chief Minister and ministers at Dimapur and Kohima. He accused Rio of taking away Rs. 340 crores from the State exchequer and using this looted money to buy votes of the people. Imkong also ridiculed the declaration 2006-2007 as Year of the Farmers, where money had been wasted in cheap popularity with organizing the Agri-Expo.
“Today the need of the people is peace and prosperity and employment for our unemployed youth”, Imkong said that it was Congress government who initiated the peace process and it will only be a Congress Government who can bring lasting solution to the decades old Indo-Naga political problem which will be honourable and acceptable to all.
Meanwhile NPCC President also castigated the DAN’s ‘misrule’ and offered Congress as the remedy. AICC Secretary Incharge of Nagaland said termed the small regional parties a circus company that is usually not be found after a week.
