Congress pitches final solution to Naga political issue in its manifesto

KOHIMA — The Congress party released its manifesto for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi on Friday.

Top party leaders including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former presidents Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and former union finance minister P Chidambaram, among others, were present during the release of its 45-page document called ‘Nyay Patra.’

While promising a nationwide socio-economic and caste census to creating jobs and to pass a constitutional amendment to raise the 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, the grand old party also listed seven key points pertaining to the north-east region including Nagaland.

“A final solution and agreement will be entered into with the Naga groups on the basis of the preliminary agreement that had been agreed in 2013-14,” the manifesto stated, though it did not specify the terms of the ‘preliminary agreement’.

It may be recalled that the Naga political groups, particularly the NSCN (IM) had gone on to sign the Framework Agreement with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government on August 3, 2015, while the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups signed the Agreed Position with the Centre on November 17, 2017.

Notably, the Congress party stated that it would remove the present Manipur government and ‘heal the wounds between the communities’.

Stating that the situation in Manipur has gone from bad to worse due to the callous neglect of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, the party said it would appoint a ‘reconciliation commission’ to bring about a political and administrative settlement that will be satisfactory to all the people of the state.

“We will ensure appropriate compensation and redress for the victims and survivors of the conflict in Manipur,” it added.

Further, the party stated that the north-eastern states represent the pluralism and diversity of India and that it would assess the infrastructure deficit in the region and provide more funds for the same.

“We will support border trade and make every effort to increase the volume and value of such trade. Congress will revive the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the north-eastern states and make them an effective instrument of local government,” it said.

It also pledged to ensure that more funds are channelised through the ADCs for developmental works.

“We will ensure that tea garden workers receive fair wages and other benefits in accordance with the applicable laws and agreements,” the manifesto stated.