Dimapur, May 23 (MExN): The NPCC today reaffirmed the earlier statement of its vice president Zachilo on the recent election in Nagaland and the “double standard” role of chief minister Neiphiu Rio in “offering unconditional support” to the Congress led UPA at the centre.
Nillo Rengma, vice president of NPCC in a statement today said the sudden u-turn by chief minister Neiphiu Rio is completely “absurd”.
Rengma in the press note reminded that not long back the chief minister was vehemently against the Congress while campaigning for NPF in the run up to the elections. Rengma in the press note pointed out that: On March 28, at the NPF rally in Tuensang, Rio was quoted by a local daily as saying “Nagas should no longer allow Congress to rule the country,” further stating that “its (congress) repressive policies have brought untold suffering to the people during their 50 years in power”.
Again on April 1 at the NPF rally in Wokha, Rengma quoted the chief minister as saying “no high command for Nagas” which Rio had remarked making reference to the rejection of Congress rule. Rengma further referring to a local daily (April 2) noted that Rio went on to say that “Nagas are mature enough to run their own affairs without any interference from the Center or high Command.”
The biggest contradiction of Rio was however is what he had said on April 5 in a rally at Dimapur. Rio called the Congress party the “number one enemy for NPF in Nagaland”. Further Rio at the same rally urged the people “not to be a tool in the hands of the Congress”.
The NPCC ridiculed the prediction of PA Sangma and Neiphiu Rio for a ‘congress downfall’ made at joint rally at Jalukie. Rengma in the press note reminded that the duo of Sangma and Rio supposedly “good friends” with “one mind and one objective” as projected at the April 6 NPF rally, had said that there “will be no Congress Ministry in Delhi”.
Rengma noted that by jointly campaigning with PA Sangma who opposes the Congress, Rio had already entered into partnership with the NCP leader. The NPCC therefore expressed surprise that chief minister Rio is now talking about “partnership, understanding, and mutual respect with Congress party” in New Delhi.
The NPCC emphatically asserted that the All India Congress party is “one body and one soul, be it in Delhi or Nagaland”, and therefore the sudden change of stand by Rio who had earlier called the Congress the “number one enemy” now wanting “partnership, understanding, and mutual respect with Congress party” does not “carry any water”.
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